OPINION: Let Laconia Keep the NH Pumpkin Festival

Pumpkin Festival 2015 fell well short of setting a world record for jack-o'-lanterns at its new home in Laconia, but it still made for a wonderful event.  Here's to hoping they host Pumpkin Festival 2016 onward.

Keene, as you likely know, hosted the event for the past 24 years and passed on it this year over haggling about security costs. Laconia, no stranger to large crowds what with having hosted Bike Week for nearly a century, took on the picturesque New England tradition.

A smart move for Laconia, who many outside the Lakes Region may only associate with Bike Week. While that event is well organized and attracts huge crowds, its reputation-- fair or not-- may lead tourists to to view the city as a rowdy place. Pumpkin Festival allows Laconia to showcase its quaint downtown and family friendly qualities by drawing a decidedly different crowd.

Putting history aside, Laconia is just a better fit for the Festival.

Being more centrally located will enable the event to grow as people become more aware of the new home. This, of course, is working under the assumption Keene says they want it back. At this point, I'm hoping festival organizers allow Laconia the option to keep it. Keene had their run and opted out. Let Laconia grow and nurture the Pumpkin Festival and put their own stamp on it.

My first observations? They did an amazing job with shuttle services for parking and blocking off streets to create an easy to navigate footprint. Any negative comments I have would be nitpicking, as it really was a great take. I forgot my digital camera, with the greater low light capabilities, but I think these camera phone shots capture some of the vibe that I so liked about Pumpkin Festival!