He’s a local celebrity, “the world’s largest Jack-O’-Lantern,” and the city of Wilmington’s annual Halloween tradition since 1952. Smilin’ Jack, aka oil tank #304, is located at the Phillips 66 Los Angeles oil refinery. Every year, the 3-million-gallon tank is covered with at least 21 coats of orange paint and transformed into a huge pumpkin. The massive jack-o’-lantern also sports an 80-foot-long smile for all to see.
(In October of 2020, with Covid surging all around, Smilin’ Jack even wore a mask.)
Each year, thousands head to the South Bay right before Halloween to visit Jack. They do the drive through and take selfies with the giant pumpkin. As part of the tradition, volunteers hand out bags of the Los Angeles Refinery’s famous caramel popcorn.
Smilin’ Jack is located at 1660 W. Anaheim Street (only when in season, of course). After his annual appearance, his festive orange glow is replaced with gray paint and the monster jack-o’-lantern becomes plain ole’ Horton Sphere tank #304 once again.