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Pownal Recreation Committee finalizes dates, budget items and logistics for 2026 Pumpkin Festival and Community Day
Summary
The Pownal Recreation Committee set Community Day for May 16, 2026 and Pumpkin Festival for Oct. 4, 2026, reviewed a $2,363.19 account balance, agreed entertainment payments, and assigned planting, parking and volunteer tasks for next year’s events.
The Pownal Recreation Committee on Nov. 13 set the dates for two major 2026 community events and agreed on several fundraising and logistics measures, according to the minutes submitted by Kathleen A. Hogue, committee member.
The committee set Community Day for May 16, 2026, and the Pumpkin Festival for Oct. 4, 2026. Committee members approved the Aug. 19, 2025 minutes as written at the start of the meeting.
In a financial update, committee member Kathleen A. Hogue reported that tee shirts and the silent auction generated $1,296 and that the committee’s General Ledger account held $2,363.19. The group discussed several ways to increase revenue for next year’s festival, including maintaining a 6–7 item silent auction and running a raffle, potentially beginning ticket sales a month before Pumpkin Festival.
Entertainment was a prominent topic. Members said Le Bon Truc and Bonnie and the Cats were well received this year and both acts have agreed to return; the committee agreed to pay Le Bon Truc $300 and Bonnie and the Cats $500 for next year’s festival. The committee also discussed seeking other traveling acts and asked Jackie Reifer to suggest possible mimes or storytellers. The minutes noted that performer Mr. Drew was a popular attraction and the group prefers not to repeat him every year.
Committee members discussed on-site logistics: Kathy Hogue reported conversations with Taylor and IMPACT about expanding games for next year, and members praised IMPACT’s food service at this year’s event. The committee agreed to ask the Fire Department — through Chief Peters — to reprise selling French fries, and also considered adding a popcorn machine.
Because there were no pumpkins at this year’s festival, the committee decided to grow pumpkins to sell in 2026. Kathy Hogue and Erin volunteered to plant pumpkins; Hogue also asked Elaine and Tim Schmidt to prepare a planting hill. The group plans to offer seeds for sale or distribution at Community Day.
Members raised safety and logistics concerns: traffic at the event was described as "sketchy," and Hogue asked the Road Commissioner to provide event signs. The committee also said it needs contact information for Carmine Blackstone to secure parking in the dirt lot across from the store. The committee agreed to provide a water station for dogs at next year’s festival after a few dogs attended this year.
The meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m. The committee left several follow-ups: confirm entertainment contracts and payments, coordinate games with IMPACT, arrange pumpkins and seed distribution, secure parking and signage, and explore raffle options to boost fundraising.
