16 more reasons to visit Keene on Sunday, October 27!

 

More Walldogs Art Downtown at Keene Pumpkin Festival

 
There are 16 more reasons to visit Downtown Keene on Sunday, October 27 from 1-7pm, in addition to several thousand jack-o’-lanterns! Pumpkin Festival organizers have teamed up with Walldogs personnel and the Historical Society of Cheshire County to add two new features to the event. By reservation, HSCC will be offering a guided tour of the 16 Walldogs murals at 2pm. The Magical History Walking Tour-Walldogs is a 2-hour walking tour; registrants are encouraged to dress for the weather. More information is available at https://www.facebook.com/events/777424146041402/

The second collaboration between the talented artists who worked on the Walldogs project and the Pumpkin Festival team is a joint effort to follow up on a suggestion made by Lt. Shane Maxfield of the Keene Police Department.

There are dozens of jersey barriers required to stage downtown events and Pumpkin Festival organizers own them. At Maxfield’s suggestion, several of the barriers will be painted and decorated and displayed at this year’s Pumpkin Festival.

Walldog artists Peter Poanessa and Mary McCord, and artists from the Friends of Public Art organization including Georgia Cassimatis are planning designs which will add to the creative artistry of the pumpkin event but can also be displayed at other downtown events. Visitors can expect to see the concrete faces of the barricades transformed into fantastic designs or depictions of local attractions.

Pumpkin Festival organizers are deferring to the artists involved. As one participant commented, “When we work together, magic happens!”
Note: Coming soon is information about the 4 nonprofits offering treats for festival visitors. Also details about special activities not listed below.
 
Official Schedule of Activities (Subject to change)
SUN, OCT 27, 2019 • 1-7pm
 
21 schools! Central Square full of Jack-o’-lanterns plus…
1pm Festival opens. DJ RayRay at the Bandstand
 
1:15pm Costume Parade starts at Parrish Shoe Sign
 
Dance performances 2:30pm NHDI
 
Live Music 3:30pm Elizabeth Munger, 5:15pm Melodious Zach
 
Face Painting by Emily Sodders, sponsored by Service Credit Union
 
HeART Tent: Carve a pumpkin! And other creative activities sponsored by Service Credit Union.
Caricatures by Larry Frates by donation with proceeds benefiting KHS Project Graduation
 
1:30-on Pumpkin Bowling sponsored by Savings Bank of Walpole
 
1:30-on Pumpkin Games including Pumpkin Corn Hole, Pumpkin Can Toss, Basketball & more!
Sponsored by Amherst Label
 
4:30pm Lighting of the Jack-o’-lanterns Bring a tall, taper candle and help the Keene Kiwanis Club light!
 
6:45pm Pumpkin Count, Closing
 
And…
 
2-3:30pm Downtown Association Trick-or-Treat at participating Downtown establishments including Life is
Sweet
 
2-6pm The Colonial Theatre Looney Toons Cartoons, free for kids, $1 for adults
 
2pm Walldogs Mural Tour by reservation with the Historical Society of Cheshire County
 
6pm Images of Halloween: Ominous Music Pipe Organ Concert UCC Church at the Head of the Square