Keene Pumpkin Festival

Keene, NH - A few weeks ago I went to the 20th anniversary Keene Pumpkin Festival. Every year they try to beat the record of the most Jack O'lanterns in one place, so far they broke the record eight times. This year they had 22,943 pumpkins; the record is held by Boston with 30,128 set in 2006. This is the tower of pumpkins at the end of the street.


This is the big pumpkin at the top of the tower.


It is encouraged to bring carved pumpkins to add to the count.


If you didn't bring your own pumpkin, you can buy one at the festival.


I think this one had too much to drink.


This very large pumpkin was carved into an old man.


A Moon Face pumpkin.


I took this photo with this gentleman next to it so you can get an idea of the size.


A Pumpkin Totem.


Teapot Pumpkin.

I took many photos at the festival, too many to choose just a few. Tomorrow I will post more.

Norfolk CT Green in Autumn

Norfolk, CT - I took a trip to Canaan CT and on the way I stopped in Norfolk to take some photos of the green. The obligatory white New England Church.


A nice place to chill.


This fountain was built in memory of Joseph Battell who was born in 1806 in Norfolk and died in New York City in 1874.


Close-up of the lion.


Monument on the green.

Burlington Pumpkin Regatta - Part 2

Burlington, VT - In addition to the Pumpkin Regatta there was other things happening on shore. Making an appearance was Miss Vermont Teen USA - Shelby Layne Gregorie and Miss Vermont USA - Nydelis Ortiz.


This girl was doing her best Chris Angel impression...no just kidding...she was practicing her dance moves for a show later in the day.


There was vendors selling their wares; here is Vermont Pickle. In addition to pickles made of cucumbers they had pickled carrots. I especially liked the "Hot Carrots".


I honed in on the Maple Doughnuts at the Palmer's Sugar House booth when I first got there...awesome.


They had some games to play there also, pumpkin sweeping anyone?


There were also crafts to do such as paper hat making run by Davis Studio.


There was also a scarecrow contest.


It's Butterfly Dog. People brought their pets for the Best Dressed Pet Contest. I tried to take a photo of a dog dressed like a pumpkin but the owner started to yell at me, she did not want me to take a photo of the dog. Um, it is a dog dressed as a pumpkin in public...that just begs for a photo.


These two "Cow People" were paddlers sponsored by Ben and Jerry's.


It's Helga the two fisted cell phone user.


In addition to the other festivities there were Pie Eating Contests.


It was messy!

Burlington Pumpkin Regatta - Part 1

Burlington, VT - This is the third Burington Pumpkin Regatta which takes place on Lake Champain. Here you can see the "boats", giant pumpkins which are donated by the Vermont Giant Vegetable Growers.


You can see the size in relation to this women. The weights ranged from about 700 to 1100 lbs.


This guy has claimed his craft.


A pumpkin is set up so you can take your photo with it, you head gets eaten.


The heavy artillery is brought out to cut the pumpkin.


This pumpkin is hollowed out so it can be ridden in. The seeds are saved and sold so you can grow one of these behemoths.


The pumpkins are loaded into the water with a tractor with a loader.


Here you can see one of the contestants riding her pony.


Closing in on the competition.


Her pumpkin was a bit out of control, it is not easy padding a pumpkin.


A pirate flying to Jolly Roger.


It was bedlam on the course.


Piloting the dragon ship, this was the eventual winner of the sponsored division of the pumpkin boats.


From planes to boats, he does it all.

Goshen Fair 2010

Goshen, CT - We went to the Goshen Fair Labor Day Weekend, here are a few photos I took while there. A sheep taking a rest in the hay.


Super Hero Sheep


Rasta Sheep


Oxen Pull


This is something I have never seen, a pair of Longhorn Oxen.


I never knew that Garden Tractor weight pulling was such a big thing. Here is a whole bunch all lined up read to pull.


A goat in the show ring, playing up to the judge.


Here a cow gets its toe nails polished up before going into the ring.


This women is giving it her all in the chopping contest.


A blacksmith doing some finishing touches to a door handle.


This soldier was playing the bagpipes near the front gate.


Some big pumpkins.