Pumped up for Laconia Pumpkin Festival

LACONIA — It was full steam ahead on Friday getting ready for Laconia Pumpkin Festival, filling the tower with hundreds of jack-o-lanterns.

This is the second year the city has organized the event, and Parks and Recreation Director Amy Lovisek and crew were happily preparing for the event, expected to draw 20,000 people.

“Crunch time,” Lovisek said. “We’re moving people in. We’ve got 900 pumpkins that we can get on there, and we just had 600 delivered from the two elementary schools, Elm Street and Woodland Heights. They delivered those this morning and we had a bucket brigade of people just moving pumpkins, putting them on the tower. It’s awesome.”

A “fabulous problem” for the festival was they have more pumpkins than the tower will hold. Lovisek said there will be A-frames in Veterans Square, so jack-o-lanterns of all types will be on display.

Lovisek was excited about the variety of carvings. Some spelled out names of businesses. Others were silly faces. Many were standard jack-o-lanterns. They will be filled with battery-powered lights to shine brightly once the sun goes down.

The public works crew getting the tower set up was led by Dane Anderson, supervising an assembly line.

“We’re having a blast,” Anderson said. “It’s fun to get out, and get all this up, and see all the smiles on kids and people’s faces.”

The crew started loading pumpkins onto the tower around 11:30 a.m., and he said they’ll just keep on until it’s done. When he’s finished up, Anderson was looking forward to festival food.

Lovisek said there will be an array. For Anderson, “loaded tots” were on his agenda.

Lovisek couldn’t ask for better weather Friday to set up, with temperatures in the high 50s, and sun shining. She started her day around 6 a.m., and vendors got there around 11 a.m. Pumpkins would be dropped off until about 6 p.m.

The festival opened Friday evening, and runs 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.

“From this point, once everything is set up, my job gets a little easier,” she said. “The tower will be up, and I’ll just have to maintain. But Saturday morning, I’ll get here around 5:30, and start all over again. The streets will all be closed, and I’ll have a lot more volunteers.”

Lovisek was running around downtown Friday, juggling calls on her cellphone and a two-way radio. She was directing vendors where to go, and making sure everything was in line. Lovisek said the vibe was through the roof.

“Oh my gosh, so many people have stopped by and said they were excited for this,” she said. “They’re thrilled to see this happen. They might not love the parking here downtown right now, but they’re understanding and being kind about it all. People seem thrilled.”

The pumpkins will be lit at 5:45 p.m. on Saturday. Lovisek is especially looking forward to the laser show at 8 p.m., put on by New Spectrum and DeGange Sound Solutions, both based in Laconia.

“The laser show is going to be amazing,” she said. “It’s going to have some unique twists. Some surprises.”

John DeGange, owner of DeGange Sound Solutions, was with members of the New Spectrum crew Friday, setting up one of the stages. He said they will provide sound at the pumpkin tower, a small stage on Friday, and sound for the live music Saturday.

“We both do lots of events around here, and like supporting local,” he said.

DeGange said it was nice the event happens right here in Laconia — in a great location — and adds to the major attractions that come to the area, like Laconia Motorcycle Week and NASCAR events.

“A lot of cool events people can come to,” DeGange said.

Next to the stage was the 405 Pub & Grill tent, which will offer live music and a food truck. Dave Henrick, who owns 405 Pub & Grill and Lakeside Pizza, praised city workers for another great event.

“We’ve been here a number of years, and worked with the city a while doing the beer tent,” he said. “It’s been a great event over the number of years, and since the City of Laconia has taken over now, it’s really grown to something much larger.”

Henrick loves the community atmosphere at Pumpkinfest. Not only can people pop into their tent to have a draft beer and grab a burger or a sausage sub, but now because of the new social district ordinance, they can enjoy a beverage throughout the festival.

“I think it’s a great addition, to be able to have an adult beverage, and be able to walk around the area,” Henrick said. “We’re excited to be a part of this event.”

For Henrick, the most exciting aspect is people from the Lakes Region and beyond coming together.

“We see some of our customers, and meet new people, and people from not just here, but from all over the country, and the world,” he said. “It’s pretty exciting to get in contact with the community, and talk with them.”

Henrick said after a few years doing this, they have it pretty fine-tuned. He likes to get his employees outside the restaurant settings, and said they have fun, and take a lot of pride, coming to the event.

“It creates more jobs, and opportunities for other people, also,” Henrick said.

Susan Bachli came from Orange, Connecticut, working with Nutmeg Concessions. On Friday, she was getting candied apples ready as her coworkers were setting up the food truck. Nutmeg Concessions has four food trucks at Laconia Pumpkin Festival, selling things like fried dough, Oreos, and Milky Way and Snickers bars, along with strawberry shortcake.

Bachli has been working fairs for five years, and said there is always a great atmosphere.

“It’s really nice, because it’s outside, and there’s usually music and lots of fresh air,” she said. “Everyone’s always in a good mood.”

With thousands of people coming, there’s crowd control to consider. Sgt. Peter John of the Belknap County Sheriff’s Office was walking around as vendors were preparing and said while there are some challenges, it’s a beneficial event for the community.

“A lot of people from throughout New Hampshire come here, since it relocated from Keene, and Laconia took it over,” John said. “The downtown businesses all do very well, and I think they welcome it. I think challenges with law enforcement is just making sure everything is facilitated appropriately.”

He said this is a big test for the social district, as it allows people to have an alcoholic beverage outside the beer tent. John sees this as a benefit, as it allows people to mingle, and take everything in.

John said between the sheriff’s office, Laconia Police and the state Liquor Commission, they will be well prepared.

Joia Hughes, the city’s economic development director, said everyone was “super excited” for what’s to come.

“We are ready to listen to some great music, maybe have a beverage, and eat some awesome food,” Hughes said.

For a complete schedule, visit laconiapumpkinfestival.com.