1997

In the early days of the Pumpkin Festival it was defiantly more community based and family friendly. Here you an see that the article talks about children in costumes and babies touching pumpkins.

• “It’s pretty great to get the community together like this” said Olga Kennison of Keene, who’s 16 month old daughter examined and touched some of the pumpkins in fascination.”

Pritchard, Catherine. “Downtown is Squashed by Hordes and Gourdes.” The Keene Sentinel, 1997

 

KIC Document

Photograph by Jesse Stenbak. “Smash Up.” The Equinox, October 23, 1997

This headline appeared a week before Halloween. Vandalism has been a big problem that has gone hand and hand with Halloween for 20 years. One of the biggest aspects of Halloween have historically been mischief and trouble making. The term “trick or treat” has a meaning of trouble making behind it. The vandalism and bad behavior that has historically happened at Keene State college can’t be excused by the social traditions surrounding Halloween but it’s interesting to think about when finding the connection between the two in newspaper ar

 

KIC Document

“Jack-o-laterns mixed it up in downtown Keene this weekend when 13,432 (pumpkins) got together to break last years record by over 300 pumpkins.” Photo by  Majewski, Steph. “Halloween ’97.” The Equinox. October 1997