Whether in the form of launch celebrations, celebrity activations, or community service initiatives, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers sets the standard for unforgettable events.
Moreover, it continues to find ways to raise that bar. That was the case Tuesday morning, when it brought media, entertainment personalities, and community members together for a record-breaking moment in Salem, Massachusetts.
Present in what founder and owner Todd Graves rather accurately calls the “Halloween capital of the world,” his company showcased the world’s heaviest jack-o’-lantern.
The label is not hyperbole: an adjudicator from Guinness World Records was on-hand to certify the honor for the 3,156-pound pumpkin.
Not simply massive in stature, the pumpkin delivered a spellbinding aesthetic. With renowned carvers Eric Jones, Monique Hawk, and William Wilson leading the charge, the stunning jack-o’-lantern was rich with references to Cane’s and the Halloween holiday.
While reflecting on the detailed, artistic carving process, Jones and the team were nonetheless quick to credit pumpkin grower Ron Wallace for providing them access to such a special canvass.
“We’ve been all over doing giant pumpkins with Cane’s for a couple of years now,” said Jones during a press conference. “This is the best pumpkin I think we’ve ever carved in terms of the material. [For] the design process, we started working with Cane’s a couple of weeks before the carve, and we go through this just kind of creative process, shooting ideas back and forth, and it goes through a team there.”
“We definitely harnessed the energy, the full moon [while carved], if you will,” added Hawk. “But this was such a fun project. We wanted to incorporate all the classic Halloween, witch, and then the Cane’s elements.”
“You’re in Salem, so you have got to incorporate witches,” detailed Jones. “And of course we can’t not carve bats and hanging bats and bat caves. That’s kind of become our staple. A lot of composition issues dealing with a pumpkin this large, you know, getting all the sides, having transitions from one side to the next. It’s a—it’s a whole process, but [Canes has] been wonderful to work with, and the turnip idea is all Todd.”
The referenced “turnip idea” was Graves’ effort to pay homage to the original jack-o’-lantern from Irish folklore. That story credits the concept to a man named “Stingy Jack,” who was blocked from entering Heaven or Hell and condemned to roam the Earth eternally. To light his way, he placed a burning goal into a hollowed-out turnip.
That commitment to authenticity is a hallmark for Graves and his company, which remains true to itself no matter how big and elaborate these activities get.
The commitment to bringing joy and happiness, even when times are tough, is another staple of Cane’s culture.
“We all work hard and we all have things, pressures in life and things we have to do that aren’t fun,” noted Graves. “But taking advantage of the times that are over the top, like Halloween and all the other holidays, to me, just makes life more fun.
Joy, of course, does not have to be an expendable, throwaway concept. It can also be a source of legitimate inspiration. It can be a moment – or series of moments – that reminds people of what they can accomplish in their own lives.
“We wanted to go where a million people come see it here in Salem and then show it over social media and do that,” added Graves. “And it’s about the fun of it all. It’s all the spirit of Halloween. But it’s [also] about just the dream … that you can dream and do anything you want. Look, I had a dream for chicken fingers, right? And if I didn’t dream I could actually do chicken fingers all over the world, then I never would have done it.”
Wallace echoed that philosophy, detailing the hope that visibility around his record-breaking pumpkin would motivate future farmers and gardeners.
“My biggest goal with the pumpkin was making sure it could be seen by lots and lots of families and children and try to inspire the next generation of gardeners to get out in the garden,” declared Wallace.
The Salem community made clear its appreciation for the endeavor. Numerous residents visited the site – during the carving process and during the official unveiling – to express their admiration for what Jones, Hawk, and Wilson were doing.
Mayor Dominick Pangallo played a role in the World Record ceremony, thanking the team for its work and commemorating October 26 as Great Pumpkin Day.
“I commend Raising Cane’s, Todd Graves, Ron Wallace, and all the team that were involved in this special event and extend the city’s appreciation to all whose work celebrates creativity and community during Salem’s 400th anniversary year,” said Pangallo.
That combined significance – working on a record-breaking pumpkin, while in such a special, Halloween-centric place – created a dream experience for the carving team.
“I think I can speak on behalf of the team,” shared Hawk. “This is a dream come true. So thank you, Todd. Thank you, Cane’s. This is absolutely surreal.”
“I guess you could say that since I’ve been carving pumpkins, I always wanted to be attached to one of these giant, beautiful pieces of work of art,” added Wilson. “And now that I have, [I have] nothing but gratitude today for Cane’s, for Ron Wallace, and for all my teammates. So thank you so much for having me.”
For Graves, it was both a moment of celebration (the official Guinness World Records certificate will go in his office) and a reminder to keep setting the bar higher.
“We’re not abandoning the dream to keep going bigger and better and more amazing,” shared Graves. “Maybe someday we get a 4,000-pound pumpkin, maybe we get a 5,000-pound pumpkin. Just keep getting bigger and better and greater.”
While the record-breaking Salem display represented the restaurant brand’s largest Halloween activation, it was far from its only one. Raising Cane’s also showcased a 2613-pound pumpkin in Los Angeles, themed displays at its Texas and Louisiana offices, and collectible cups in its restaurants.
And when Halloween takes place this weekend, excitement will soon turn to the brand’s annual Christmas holiday season celebration.
