Pumpkinfest will add shuttle from high school, easing parking concerns

LACONIA — The Laconia Pumpkin Festival is just around the corner, taking over downtown Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24. Laconia Parks and Recreation staff have been hard at work preparing for the event, including a new amenity this year: a shuttle bus.

After hearing concerns about attendees having trouble finding parking, parks & rec staff began brainstorming, and thought a shuttle would be the best option.

“We are looking to go from Laconia High School to City Hall. Basically, every 15 minutes the bus is going to leave the high school to City Hall, come back to the high school, and do that loop,” said Amy Lovisek, director of parks & rec. “It just gives people an opportunity to park elsewhere.”

There will be one shuttle in use, which is planned to run from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday. Pumpkinfest hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., along with a “soft opening” from 4 to 10 p.m. on Friday. Lovisek said this gives time for any stragglers to be delivered safely to their car after the festivities.

Although shuttle hours technically end at 10:30 p.m., “If people are still there after the festival, and there’s more people than the bus can hold, we’ll get people back,” Lovisek said.

Parks & rec staff are still confirming which vehicle will be used, whether it be from the city, or a different service. If it is through the city, passengers will be asked for a donation to support the transportation. If contracted through a third party, passengers will most likely pay a fare. Parks & rec staff are still working out the details.

The Main Street parking lot will be completely closed to parking from 4 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, and will host the main stage, beer tent, food vendors, and bands. This is a change from previous years, when the main stage and tents were located in the BankNH parking lot. Besides the Main Street lot, all other parking areas will remain open until midnight on Friday, when Main Street shuts down to prepare for the main festival on Saturday.

This will be the city's second year organizing the festival, taking over for the Lakes Region Chamber, whose staff moved the event from Keene to Laconia in 2015.

Lovisek is feeling confident as the 2026 Laconia Pumpkin Festival nears. She said she’s excited about the artists performing this year, especially those paying tribute to "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" on Friday.

“I think we’re in pretty good shape, for the shape we’re in.”