Pumpkin Fest organizers brief council on Oct. 25 festival; council approves downtown TIF spending for safety gear

Organizers of Laconia’s Pumpkin Fest told the City Council they are ready for an expanded family festival on Oct. 25, describing vendor lists, children’s activities and large display features while asking for support to enhance safety and circulation downtown.

Amy, one of the festival organizers, said the event — in its current planning — will run from 11:00 a.m. to 8:10 p.m. and will include a 34-foot pumpkin tower that can display roughly 900 carved pumpkins, 90 vendors plus a New England craft show, children’s attractions such as a rock wall and a nine-hole mini-golf course, three beer tents and evening entertainment. Organizers said drought conditions and insurance restrictions prevent fireworks this year; they plan a laser show from 7:50–8:10 p.m. to conclude the evening.

Council approved Resolution 25-32 to use downtown TIF funds for pedestrian safety and festival equipment: staff requested $12,500 for traffic barriers, $2,000 for a generator and $22,500 for mobile light towers. Councilors noted that TIF funds are restricted to the downtown TIF area and discussed potential future legislative changes if they wanted to use the equipment elsewhere.

Organizers also described sponsorship support — roughly $18,000 in cash sponsorships and about $70,000 in-kind support — and urged residents to donate carved pumpkins for the tower. Pumpkin drop-off is scheduled for Friday before the event at a Beacon Street East location. The council approved the TIF expenditures 6–0.

Event organizers said they will continue coordination with police, public works and event volunteers to finalize logistics and equipment procurement ahead of the Oct. 25 date.