My first Pumpkin Fest was a whirlwind. As a naive freshman, I had already been to my fair share of parties and explored the new freedom that was bestowed unto me.
So, I fed into the hype of the drunk mess of a weekend that loomed before us, and I was certain my fun was going to exceed my expectations. And it did. My friends and I followed the blaring music lingering through the nearby neighborhoods and the throngs of eager college students from near and far to a massive backyard party.
My eyes tripled in size as I could not believe the sea of people floating in empty boxes and cans of booze. I’m finally doing college, I thought to myself, and I’m doing it right.
Of course, my internal monologue came to a screeching halt when I got a phone call from my mom announcing her arrival. I met her downtown with my then-boyfriend where we began strolling around. After all, if I was going to have a reason to celebrate, I might as well check out the main event.
I had never been so glad to have left a party. Rows of glistening pumpkins were everywhere, I walked among costumed ninjas, superheroes, and monsters, and the food? Incredible. Where else will you find fried pickles and maple cotton candy in the same place?
While all of this caught my attention, what I found most endearing was the common thread. Everyone came together for a large-scale event to break a record and show off their best jack-o’-lantern, yes, but also to be with loved ones.
There was a warmth in my heart that made me realize that coming to Keene State College was the best choice I could have ever made.
From then on, my sophomore and junior Pumpkin Fest included limited party time. My fear of missing out, otherwise known as F.O.M.O., was at an all-time low. While most others looked forward to getting their drink on, I genuinely wanted to tour the towers of pumpkins and enjoy what the festival had to offer.
To each their own, I love a great fiesta as much as the next person.
But my perception of the holiday weekend evolved into a much more wholesome idea.
I do wince at the many Instagram and Facebook photos of my peers enjoying the hospitality of party-throwers. Sometimes I regret not taking up the invitation from friends or random passer-bys. But then I review my own pictures: my favorite jack-o’-lanterns, my friends and me in front of the pumpkin tower and the decor of downtown.
I realize then that my time with my friends and family was beyond time well-spent. This year was no different.
My doting boyfriend came up for the weekend along with a friend whom I’ve been close with since the 6th grade.
I tried to elude the fact that this was my last Pumpkin Fest as a student with a room to walk back to at the end of the day, since I knew it would dampen my mood.
We wandered one final time up and down Main Street, taking in the thousands of pumpkins and people swarming Keene.
With a burger and a hard cider in hand, I knew that I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
I finally came full circle and completed my cycle of Pumpkin Fests. Thank you for a wonderful four years, P-Fest. I will be back, but as a KSC alum instead.
Kattey Ortiz can be contacted at kortiz@keene-equinox.com