Jackson's Pumpkin People To Return: Their 29th year appearing in Jackson's Fall Foliage celebrations!

Jackson is gearing up for their month-long October celebration of fall foliage. Much more than just their ever popular Return of the Pumpkin People which is in its 29th year, (a self-guided tour with more than 100 displays) this year the town expanded the event with a new "All Things Pumpkin" Festival. Starting October 18 and continuing through Saturday, October 31st, the chamber and dozens of area businesses have gone out of their way to make this year's Jackson's celebration the best ever.

For starters, the New England Jackson Invitational Pumpkin Carving Competition will be held Friday, October 23rd thru Sunday, October 25th. More than 10 teams are expected to compete. You can watch as they carve, sculpt and or whittle their magic on 8 - 10 pumpkins per team. They begin on Noon on Friday - October 23rd and continue through Saturday evening until 7 PM. Teams will display their pumpkins and there will be an official "Pumpkin Lighting" at 7 PM. Visitors will choose the "People's Choice". All around winner chosen by the sculptors themselves will win a Jackson vacation package valued at $500 or more. The People's Choice winner will be awarded a $100 dining certificate to a Jackson Area Dining Members establishment. Then on Sunday, October 25th you can go to the family Pumpkin day in the park from 10 AM - Noon. Pumpkin Sculptors/Carvers will be available to highlight how to sculpt or carve, create some fun things to do with pumpkins, and more.

The "All Things Pumpkin" Tour horse drawn carriage ride runs Saturday, October 24th

and Sunday, October 25th for $25pp. The carriage ride travels through the Jackson Covered Bridge into Jackson village with stops at 5 or 6 different places offering home-made pumpkin goodies or keep sakes and passing more than fifteen Return of the Pumpkin People displays. Rides leave hourly from 11 AM until 4 PM. The event expected to sell out, call and purchase tickets early.

More than 50 local businesses have are creating Pumpkin People displays and offering all manner of pumpkin drinks, pumpkin edibles, open houses, giveaways, demonstrations, pumpkin decorating, lodging & dining specials, and much more.

Activities include things like pumpkin painting, pumpkin carving, horse drawn sleigh rides, wood carving, basket weaving and beading demonstrations, games and lots more. Many businesses are offering complimentary cider and desserts. Several lodging properties are offering discounted rates, something rare during foliage season. Of course Saturday, October 31st offers children safe and fun way to Trick or Treat with Jackson's Sweet Street celebration ending.

Tickets, brochures and more information are available from the Jackson Chamber of Commerce at (603) 383-9356 or you can visit their web site.

Our thanks to the Jackson Chamber of Commerce for
the submitted photos for this article.

► Of Interest:
Jackson Pumpkin People Display Map (.pdf) (Jackson Chamber)
"All Things Pumpkin" Festival Schedule Brochure (.pdf) (Jackson Chamber))

Pumpkin People in Jakson, NH as the Flintstones.

Pumpkin People in Jakson, NH as the Flintstones.