The city of Keene reigned once again winning the battle for the world record in carved and lit pumpkins Saturday, October 19, 2013 for at the Keene Pumpkin Festival.
“We brought it home,” reacted Ruth Sterling, Pumpkin Fest primary organizer. The city of Keene displayed a record 30,581 pumpkins as confirmed by The Guinness Book of World Records, topping the last record set in Boston in 2006.
Sterling and her team of dedicated soldiers attributed the win to their commitment toward the end goal: bringing that record back to the streets of Keene.
“You can have a great plan but if you don’t follow it to the letter you will not win the battle,” Sterling said, “We really focused on following our great plan and bringing others in on it.”
Karina Barriga Albring / News Editor: The Keene Pumpkin Festival gathered 30,581 jack-o’-lanterns this year. Keene State College Student Government contributed approximately 1,800 pumpkins that were placed downtown last Saturday.
Sterling stated the effort began in 2010 and not one soldier stopped until the job was done.
“In 2010 when the festival died, we started right then towards this achievement—we had everybody get on that train. I know everybody is off the charts jubilant. They’re moved and exhausted.”
The assistance from Keene State College helped to turn that hard working goal into a celebration after KSC contributed approximately 1,800 pumpkins to downtown Main Street, according to Student Body Vice President Jackie Efraimson.
The senior said there were only a handful of pumpkins left not carved after Pumpkin Lobotomy on Friday, October 18.
“There was great participation from the college this year,” Efraimson said, “Way to go Keene, way to go Keene State. I think it’s really awesome. I am so proud to be from this area. It’s a cool and unusual record to hold.”
Sterling thanked the Keene community members and the college for soldering through the weekend with her and her team.
Sterling said to win and keep winning, “Never ever give up and refocus often.”
And one more reason for the win: “Believing in the magic of the Keene Pumpkin Festival.”
Julie Conlon can be contacted at jconlon@keene-equinox.com