kcapuani

My family and I are considering a short vacation to Keene, NH for the Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 17th. I'm wondering if the festival is worth the drive from Buffalo, NY or if it just another pumpking festival (we have several around here but the carved pumpking towers do look incredible). Most of the B&B's and hotels in the area are already booked. Yet, I was able to find a great rate of $145 at the Crotched Mountain Resort. Part of me wonders why the rate is so cheap during what I would think would be high season.

Anyways, I would appreciate any feedback on the activities during the Pumpkin Festival and on whether the Crotched Mountain Resort is as nice as it sounds. We would have two kids in tow, age 5.5 and 1.5. Thanks in advance!

RLFox184

I have not personally been to the Pumpkinfest (never have the time) and I don't know how it compares to any other since I haven't been to any others either but we have never heard anyone express disappointment...people coming from as far away as Florida.

I cannot speak for Crotched Mountain Resort but it's probably 45 minutes away from Keene which could make for a long drive back to the resort after the evening events are over. Not to steer you away from CMR but have you checked at Inn at East Hill Farm in Marlborough? I don't know if they have availability but they are geared for families.

Something else your five year old might like is the Yankee Siege Trebuchet in Greenfield. They have a website if you google it. It's an old fashioned catapult hurling pumpkins 1500' into a field beyond a castle. It's unique!

kcapuani

Thanks for the suggestion - I will check into that Inn, particularly in light of the fact that Crotched Mountain is now booked! I guess that's what happens when you hesitate.

SmileyKrn

My sister and I went this past weekend to Keene. We had a fabulous time and would recommend a few hours at the festival for those who enjoy all things Halloween. We went to the festival around 5pm in the evening and left before the fireworks. The 3 1/2 hours that we were in Keene, were enjoyable. We walked around looking at the pumpkins and seeing what the vendors had to sell. This amount of time was sufficient for my sister and I; enough to be amazed by the number of pumpkins, the artwork and people watch. The festival is VERY crowded and I would imagine be very difficult with young children and would get tiresome after a while. By leaving before the fireworks, we avoided traffic issues. There was little in terms of different foods. I would suggest eating elsewhere. We stayed at Centennial B&B in Northfield MA (about a 20 minute drive). A WONDERFUL experience.

RLFox184

We also went this year and had a good time. Smiley, we must have seen you because we were there at the same time We arrived around 4:30 and stayed until 7:30. Three hours gave us enough time to walk around and see many of the pumpkins, explore the tent vendors, and do some people watching...did you see the caterpillar Jack O'Lantern...that was cool!!!

Seeing the scaffolding all lit up was cool and we were happy we contributed two carved pumpkins for the cause. They ended up having 29,068 pumpkins which was a Keene record.

I am torn on whether the kids would enjoy it...there seemed to be plenty of small ones there but I would be afraid of losing them. It is very crowded, 70,000 people on Main Street in Keene is a lot of people!

I am not pushing my site but if you want to see some pumpkin pictures from the festival, go to my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pa...0809450?ref=nf

sassy_cat

I always seem to miss this! Every year after the event I see pictures and think I must go next year..

Thanks for posting the pictures!