Dan Mitchell of WKBK Interviews Ruth Sterling about Pumpkin Festival January 11, 2011

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FAQs Frequently Asked Questions

How can I help? How will things change? Answers to these FAQs help clear up the mystery.
Posted Monday, January 3, 2011

Will there be a Pumpkin Festival in 2011?
Yes. The volunteer board and executive director who ran the event in previous years are dropping the festival from their projects. As soon as their announcement was made public, another team picked up the ball and began organizing Pumpkin Festival 2011 and beyond. Reluctant to officially announce Pumpkin Festival 2011 until Keene's City Council approves our event application, the new team of "Pumpkin heads" has committed to getting to the goal of P-fest 2011, Saturday, October 22, 2011.

Will the Festival change? I love the spectacular towers, the children's costume parade, and the thousands of creative jack-o'-lanterns and I don't want it to change.
We love these traditional, inspirational and amazing aspects of the Pumpkin Festival and do not anticipate fixing what isn't broken.

Will the Festival change? It seems big for a city of 20,000+ residents.
In analyzing the success and challenges of the festival, our team is committed to the following Statement of Purpose: The Keene Pumpkin Festival is a community-hosted, family-friendly celebration of fall and of what is unique about Keene and the Monadnock region. It is also a celebration of artistry and creativity and a demonstration of our area’s commitment to non-profit efforts to serve those in need.

We are going back to the roots of the Festival as well as incorporating new ideas.

What are some of the improvements we can expect at Pumpkin Festival 2011?
The Pumpkin Festival goal is full participation. The joy of the festival begins with carving a pumpkin, proudly bringing it to Downtown Keene, checking in and placing your jack-o'-lantern right where you want it—where you can find it later—and take it home for a Halloween decoration. If all who attend bring their own carved masterpiece, we will achieve our goal.

What else?
The new management of the festival is committed to well-informed hosts and guests.

For example, we have a plan to host each block or area of the event with some of our region’s most congenial, responsible, cheerful Pumpkin Hosts, similar to ski hosts at ski areas. We're thinking of a team of 50 hosts who will begin training for the big day in the spring. If you are interested in this program, please let us know via the online sign-up. The ideal Pumpkin Host is someone who loves the thrill of P-fest, wants to see our guests have a splendid time, and has the energy of a kids' soccer coach, the patience of a kids' soccer coach, the eagle eye of a pool lifeguard, the personality of a greeter, a cell phone, and the imagination to consider 1,000 people as his/her own personal guests.

What about the World Record?
If every attendee commits to bringing one pumpkin and 30, 40, 50, 60, or 70,000 people come . . . well, the numbers look pretty cool. A record would be a by-product of the success of a full participation festival.

How can I help?
We have a goofy slogan: "If we all do what we do best, we can have a Pumpkin Fest."

The new management team, STERLING Design & Communications, organizes events, creates communications programs, and designs public relations programs. Owner Ruth Sterling worked on the original festivals 20 years ago and is ready for the challenge ahead. One member of the P-fest Action Team is a lawyer who brings legal knowledge as well as familiarity with our state departments to our team. Two other members are in the hospitality field and are accustomed to hosting out-of-town guests and organizing events. One member represents a local college: being sure young adults enjoy the festival safely and responsibly is a critical factor to future success.

What are you good at? What would you LOVE to do? There are so many aspects to our wonderful signature event that it's not unrealistic to say, there is a role to match every talent. But if you have worked for years on the Pumpkin Fest and are feeling tired, please take some time off. You deserve it! And then the minute you miss it, get in touch with us. We will listen to your history, your dreams and match you up with a nice, new volunteer job.