Keene was once the place to go for the ultimate pumpkin festival experience.
The longstanding festival drew thousands of people each year, set numerous world record for lit jack-o-lanterns. But that all came to an end after the much-publicized riots in 2014.
Now, though, the Keene area is home to two much smaller festivals for folks to enjoy.
On Oct. 20 at the Cheshire Fair Grounds (247 Monadnock Hwy., Swanzey), the Monadnock Pumpkin Festival will be a day filled with large displays of pumpkins, of course, costumes, fireworks and all kinds of fall fun for the whole family.
Fright Fest is more than 1,000 feet of terror, while a community bonfire will help keep festival goers warm until the fireworks display fills up the night sky.
There are loads of children’s activities with crafts, games, and new this year, Touch-a-Truck.
Add in amusement rides, food vendors, pony rides, live entertainment, hayrides, a craft fair, and La’rping Quests, and it’s an event that will keep you entertained for the whole day.
With a goal of the most pumpkins possible, people are encouraged to bring carved pumpkins, while there will also be a community carve night on Oct. 18.
The event runs from 1 to 8 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, and $5 for ages 5 to 10. Children 5 and under are free.
For more, visit monadnockpumpkinfestival.org.
A much smaller scale Keene Pumpkin Festival returns for a second year Oct. 28, from 1 to 7 p.m. in Central Square.
It’s more geared toward the kids with a costume parade, face painting, free games like pumpkin bowling, trick-or-treating to downtown businesses. There will be live entertainment in the ban stand and dance performances.
Admission is free, but donations are always accepted to be put toward a future year’s events.
More info can be found at pumpkinfestival.org.
If you like pumpkins, you shouldn’t miss either one of these events.