Everybody likes a trip out in the fall to the local pumpkin patch to pick up an orange delight for carving and decorating. New England abounds in farms and festivals overflowing with this prized vegetable.

Here’s a sweet half-dozen to pick your pumpkin from:

Kennebunkport in Maine hosts the popular Pumpkin Patch Trolley event this September 22-23 and September 29-30, 2007. Visitors ride to a pumpkin patch filled with donated pumpkins or purchased from local growers. You select your pumpkin and then it rides back on a separate mail car to the vistors center where you claim it with the baggage ticket you were issued. Good fun for all ages.

Clearview Farms in Sterling, Massachusetts has a traditional Pumpkin Festival on Columbus Day weekend - which is October 6 and 7 in 2007. With 12 acres of pumpkin patches there has to be one for everybody amongst this historic farm. The festival features pumpkin carving demos, live music, treasure hunts, hayrides and much more.

Keene, New Hampshire proudly puts on the largest Pumpkin Festival on October 20, 2007. It holds the world record for the most on display - 28,952 set in 2003. You’ll find plenty of crafts and other vendors on display, and dare I say you can purchase a pumpkin as well - although if you’re a serious pumpkin carver you don’t need me to tell you you’re cutting it fine!

Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, Connecticut, opens for pick-your-own pumpkins from mid-September to end of October and holds its own Pumpkin Festival on October 27, 2007. On tap will be delicious pumpkin treats, pumpkin painting and carving contests, and games, prizes, hayrides and more.

On weekends through the fall Charmingfare Farm in Candia, New Hampshire has their Pumpkin Festival where you can pick your perfect pumpkins, wander through corn and hay maze, take one of the many rides and enjoy the on-stage shows throughout the day. This event has a fee.

Salisbury Farm in Johnston, Rhode Island has been a working farm since the 1800’s, and offers “pick your own” pumpkins during the fall months. Visit at the weekends to get free hayride and wander around the corn maze.

And if you’d prefer to let other’s do the carving and just look amzed at their creations, then you’ll want to mark your calendar and motor down to McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, between October 5-30, 2007. For the second year in a row the stadium hosts the world famous Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. This event really has to be seen to be believed.

A team of over 30 professional pumpkin carvers spend six weeks creating the pumpkin trail, resulting in a truly fascinating display featuring special lighting, musical themes, and over 150,000 pounds of jack-o’lanterns carved with painstaking detail and amazing artistry. This event has a fee - but it’s worth it!

For ideas and suggestions on other attractions at any of these events check out my New England attractions guide by clicking here.

Check back soon for another seasonal event and resource,

Cliff Calderwood
Executive Director
New England Guide to Vacations