KEENE, N.H. — The city of Keene staged its annual Pumpkin Festival on Saturday, drawing thousands of visitors downtown to display and light thousands of carved jack-o'-lanterns in one of New England's largest autumn gatherings. Let It Shine coordinated the event along Main Street.

The festival dates to 1991 and once held the Guinness World Record for the most lit jack-o'-lanterns in one place, exceeding 30,000 pumpkins at its peak. After disruptions a decade ago, the event has rebuilt as a family-oriented celebration with craft vendors, live music, and a carving competition along the city's historic center.

The gathering falls during the busiest weekend of the American fall festival calendar, days before Halloween on October 31. Similar pumpkin and harvest events ran across the Northeast and Midwest, from New York's Hudson Valley to agricultural fairs featuring giant-pumpkin weigh-offs.

Local businesses and the Greater Keene and Peterborough Chamber of Commerce have promoted the festival as a driver of seasonal tourism, bringing visitors and revenue to restaurants and shops in Cheshire County. City officials arranged road closures and shuttle services to manage the crowds.

"This festival is about community coming together to celebrate the season," said an organizer with Let It Shine ahead of the event, noting that proceeds support local charities and youth programs.