KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) The Keene Pumpkin Festival is back on Saturday, October 12, offering a day packed with activities for the whole family. From 2 to 7 p.m., downtown Keene will transform into a festive celebration of autumn, pumpkins, and local talent.
Main Events and Activities:
- Parade: Start your day with the costume parade at 2 p.m. on Main Street. It’s the perfect chance to show off your Halloween outfit!
- Dance & Music Performances: At 2:30 p.m., Railroad Square will come alive with performances by the New Hampshire Dance Institute, Big Nazo, MoCo Arts, and the Keene State College Dance Team. Meanwhile, in Central Square, enjoy live music from Bob Denson, BabaRay, and The Evocatives.
- Family Fun: The Colonial Theatre will be showing free, family-friendly cartoons from 2 to 5 p.m., and the United Church of Christ of Keene is hosting a “Haunted Alley” from 2 to 7 p.m.
- Pumpkin Carving & Trick-or-Treating: Head to Central Square between 2 and 6 p.m. to carve your own jack-o’-lantern. Plus, various downtown businesses will be offering trick-or-treating, with some providing allergy-friendly and non-candy options.
- Pumpkin Displays: Nearly 30 local schools and programs have contributed pumpkins to the displays along Main Street, leading to the iconic pumpkin tower, which will light up at 5 p.m.
Vendors and Food: There will be 10 nonprofit food vendors and 20 craft vendors offering treats and handmade goods throughout the event.
Festival Logistics:
- Main Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from Central Square to the Emerald Street intersection from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Shuttle parking is available at lots on Optical Ave, Keene State’s Winchester lot, and the Main Street America lot.
Let It Shine, the nonprofit organizing the event, is actively seeking volunteers for various tasks.
For more information, including maps and festival updates, visit the official Keene Pumpkin Festival website or listen to Dan Mitchell’s interview with Mike Giacomo of Let it Shine about the festival on WKBK Radio here:
