By Lannan M. O’Brien
Pumpkins: there’s arguably no more iconic symbol of fall. And here in New England, we celebrate the season’s bounty with events honoring pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. Carved jack o’ lanterns, hayrides, and pumpkin picking make for seasonal fun at festivals across the region. Here is one in each state we recommend checking out this October!
Rhode Island
3rd Annual Fall Fest & Pumpkin Stroll
Members of the public submit decorated pumpkins for this annual stroll, which are entered in a competition for categories like “Most Original” and “Most Artistic.” To participate, decorate your own pumpkin or a free one from the Westerly Library and return your pumpkin by Friday, October 25. Arrive dressed in your Halloween costume, enjoy cider and doughnuts, and get into the spirit with activities for all ages.
Saturday, October 26, 4-6 PM
Westerly Library and Wilcox Park
Westerly, Rhode Island
Massachusetts
Pumpkin Festival at Krochmal Farms
This multi-weekend celebration has been hosted by a Tewksbury farm for over 30 years. Bring the whole family to peruse the pumpkin patch, wander a corn maze, and participate in activities like hayrides and pony rides. While you’re there, pet the farm animals and feed the goats and sheep at the Farm Animal Interaction.
Saturdays and Sundays through October, 10 AM-5 PM
Krochmal Farms, 31 Jennie’s Way
Tewksbury, Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival
Each October, a week chock-full of seasonal festivities leads up to the long-awaited Pumpkin Tower lighting in downtown Laconia, for which schools, community organizations, businesses and residents submit truckloads of carved pumpkins. Events on the day of include a 10k and 5k run/walk, a craft show, a parade, a pie-eating contest, live stage performances, a costume party, pumpkin decorating, and much more.
Saturday, October 26
Downtown Laconia, New Hampshire
Connecticut
NECT Great Pumpkin Festival
The official “Great Pumpkin,” a towering ball of orange that sits on the Putnam Congregational Church lawn, is the star of the show at this annual festival. The community event features live performances, a craft fair, a scarecrow contest, and seasonal specials from local restaurants. A scenic train ride delivers guests to downtown Putnam to enjoy the day-long celebration.
Saturday, October 19, 10 AM-3 PM
Main Street, Putnam, Connecticut
Vermont
19th Annual Pumpkin Festival
Pumpkin picking is just one of the fall-themed activities at this annual event, hosted by Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center. Join in on the fun with live music, crafts and games in the “enchanted forest,” horse-drawn wagon rides, a hay bale climb, and a tractor display. Don’t forget to grab a bite to eat from a lineup of local food vendors, including the Cedar Circle Farm Kitchen.
Sunday, October 13, 10 AM-3 PM
Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center
225 Pavillion Road, East Thetford, Vermont
Maine
Camp Sunshine Pumpkin Festival
Set on L.L.Bean’s flagship campus, this pumpkin festival raises funds for Camp Sunshine, which provides unique experiences for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. A day of fun-filled activities – live music, food, kids’ activities, and a children’s costume parade – culminate in the lighting of thousands of jack o’ lanterns in the evening.
Saturday, October 19, 12-8 PM
L.L.Bean
95 Main St., Freeport, Maine
