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Organizers say Pumpkin Festival drew about 20,000 visitors; city to shift event closer to Halloween
Summary
Recreation staff told the council the Oct. 25 Laconia Pumpkin Festival attracted roughly 20,000 visitors, had strong vendor sales and minimal public-safety incidents; organizers plan to shift the event to the Friday–Saturday weekend before Halloween and explore 501(c)(3) status and a community logo contest.
City recreation director Amy Lovisek and Nancy Brown from the city manager—s office told the council the Oct. 25 Laconia Pumpkin Festival was a success, drawing an estimated 20,000 visitors across the day, 82 craft vendors and 91 regular vendors.
Lovisek said vendors reported strong sales, police had no major calls related to the event and DPW had streets cleared by about 10:30 a.m. the following day. She reported merchandise sales including 176 T-shirts and 42 souvenir mugs and said the festival likely came in well under the budgeted estimate.
For 2026 the committee plans a timing change: keep the festival on the weekend before Halloween but move to a Friday–Saturday schedule (a Friday —soft opening— and a busier Saturday) to capitalize on costumes and crowds. Organizers also said they are exploring converting the festival into a 501(c)(3) so it can attract grant funding and tax-deductible donations, and they plan an artist-led contest to refresh the festival logo.
Councilors praised the volunteers and multiple city departments for planning and cleanup and encouraged staff to continue refining the budget and sponsorship model ahead of next year.
What happens next: Organizers will return with a formal budget and any proposed changes for council consideration; if the committee pursues 501(c)(3) status there will be follow-up on governance and sponsorship.
