KEENE, N.H. – Many New Hampshire residents have fond memories of going to the Keene Pumpkin Festival when they were kids – looking forward every year to trick-or-treating at the different downtown stores and businesses, carving a pumpkin to add to the pumpkin tower, and joining the spirited Halloween costume parade down Main Street.
One lifelong New Hampshirite who started going to the festival with her family when she was young recalled huge crowds packing the streets, “walking shoulder to shoulder.”
This year’s event, held Saturday, Oct. 17, was well attended in spite of the chilly temperatures and bitter gusts of wind that had most everyone bundled up in winter gear and lining up for hot mulled cider. With the sun shining and music and laughter filling the air, the mood was light and festive all day.
The traditional kids’ costume parade started at 2 p.m., at the gazebo in the square, and was led by A Company of Witches out of Marlow, N.H. Families in costumes followed the dancing witches down Main Street to Gilbo Avenue, where students from MoCo Arts performed a portion of the upcoming middle-school and high-school musical “The Little Mermaid.” Pick up tickets for the Dec. 12 performance at www.moco.org/tickets.
There were also a variety of great performers throughout the day on three different stages. The New Hampshire Dance Institute (NHDI) drew a sizable crowd, and line dance group The Monandock Mavericks put on a lively show. Modern Fools played for fans in their unique style described as “seriously retro, cosmic Americana.” A Company of Witches put on two shows in the afternoon, and on the South Stage, in front of the Colonial Theater, Sonntag Jazz Collective performed a skillful set which had folks of all ages bopping along with the music.
The jazz ensemble, made up of musicians Julia Baer, Logan Phillips, Kevin Sonntag, Emma Toscano, and Kyle Trombley, shared a post on its Facebook page after the festival: “It might have been cold today, but we certainly played hot.”
There were a variety of local food vendors and more than 30 craft vendors who displayed their wares and tried to keep their pop-up tents from going airborne in the wind. There truly was something for everyone, and people were happy to see the festival coming back to life and gaining in popularity with the residents of Keene and surrounding communities once again.
The party continued into the evening despite the frigid nip in the air. With so many people still wearing costumes, the mood felt a lot like Halloween: a little bit spooky and somewhat mischievous. Downtown bars and restaurants were packed with groups of friends gathered for some preholiday reveling.
The festival is organized by Let It Shine Inc., a local nonprofit, which set out to create a family-friendly celebration of fall and community spirit. Headquartered in Keene, the charitable organization raises funds to help people in need and assist other nonprofits. It accepts donations and sells merchandise year-round. Visit Let It Shine’s website at www.pumpkinfestival.org.