The count of lighted jack o'lanterns in one place, namely Keene, New Hampshire's downtown, stood at 29,068 this past Saturday night, October 17. Crowds estimated at 70,000 (more than double the city's population) descended to witness this event, featuring a Keene Pumpkin Festival record number of the carved vegetables.
You have to start early building traditions. Even a 2-year-old can wield a spoon to clear out pumpkin guts.
For my family this nineteenth annual pumpkinfest is held as traditional as any holiday on the calendar.
Some folks enjoy the activity so much that they figure it's a good thing to replace the guts in the pumpkins so they can scoop them out again.
It is a controversial technique, to be sure.
Other more experienced hands aren't convinced this is necessary.
But all pumpkin carving artists know that, whatever techniques are used, the results are worth it.
It's important to test out your jack o'lantern's candlepower before delivering your creations to the Pumpkin Festival.
When you get to the Pumpkin Festival, don't be intimidated by the huge displays of lighted pumpkins. Find a safe and happy corner for yours.
The crowd moves slowly through the chilly dusk as volunteers move with purpose and butane lighters to ignite the candle inside of each jack o'lantern.
It's important to admire your work and ignore the camera.
Downtown Keene, NH transformed into a magical Pumpkin Central at dusk on October 17, 2009. Wish you were here. We had a ball!
Many thanks to my daughter and her nephew (my grandson) for being the subjects of this photo essay.
Photos Copyright © 2009 CoyoteOldStyle. All Rights Reserved.
TIP:
Enter the amount, and click "Tip" to submit!
OEsheepdog
ronnierayjenkins
Kellylark
Kate Bishop
Stephen McGuire
JK Brady
Salon.com
Comments
Pilgrim, you're welcome. With the Sox out of the playoffs, we have to console ourselves somehow. Maybe pumpkins are therapeutic?
i cant wait till i learn to take and download my own pics, so i can make posts with them, instead of stolen google images.
thanks for sharing.
But every year, we have to have at least one pumpkin carved. :-D
Thumbed. Thanks for the fab pics, Nancy. I personally love these kind of events. The creativity is astounding.
jane, mark your calendar for next year. I'll find you a free place to stay! We bought pie pumpkins this year because I could get five for the same price as one big one. My daughter made that sweet smiley one. I'll tell her you like it!
Julie, everything is new when seen through his eyes. And they are super cute!
bluesurly, you know it! He even took a few bites to taste test it.
Roy it is lots o' fun and even better when you get home and you're not cold and rubbing elbows with a crowd!
Beatiful pictures and beautiful young artist.
Marcela
Rich, we had a great time and as long as we kept the little one strictly on spoon duty, nobody had to worry!
Owl, the photos don't do it justice. You can walk around for hours and be newly amazed at every corner. Thanks for dropping by!