KEENE, N.H. — Officials in this New Hampshire city are bringing back a pumpkin festival, three years after violence broke out at the last one.

The annual pumpkin festival in Keene has broken world records for the most lit jack-o-lanterns in one place.

But it was canceled after violence broke out in 2014.

Keene’s mayor, Kendall Lane, cast a tie-breaking City Council vote Thursday night to bring back a smaller festival more focused on children.

The vote came after administrators at Keene State College and others said they had seen social media posts suggesting big parties, or dangerous behavior, could return.

The festival is scheduled for Oct. 29.

Keene’s original Pumpkin Festival was moved to Laconia. That one is still scheduled for Oct. 13 and 14.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.