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Utah

http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2006-10-23-boston-pumpkins_x.htm

BOSTON (AP) — Boston's nickname is Beantown, but Pumpkintown might also apply now.
Bostonians on Saturday lit 30,128 pumpkins on Boston Common, shattering the world record for the most jack-o'-lanterns lit in one place.

"It's fantastic," said Jim Laughlin, a spokesman for Life is Good, the Boston clothing company that sponsored the event. "We've been going after this record for a long time."

The old record of 28,952 lit pumpkins had been held since 2003 by Keene, N.H. That city tried to keep up with their own attempt Saturday, but lit only 24,682 pumpkins.

In Boston, an estimated 100,000 people crowded onto the Common to slice, scoop, and sculpt pumpkins and to savor pumpkin pie and pumpkin soup. Mayor Thomas M. Menino greeted children, who were dressed as ghosts and angels.

Keene, a city of 22,000 people, did not go down without a fight. "We had more pumpkins lit than people who live here," said Alan Davis, an organizer.

The friendly competitions raised thousands of dollars for charities

10/23/2006 6:03:53 PM

Montoursville, PA

Given good health and decent weather we would go to that event if it were advertised more widely. There are a lot of quality things to do in that area aside from the pumpkin event. Bell in Hand is one of the finest restrurants and oldest in America. It is on or just off the Commons.

Many years ago we were there and saw a gold plated Rolls Royce with armed guards to keep the fingers off of it while the owners had lunch. Mercy! The other half. :)

10/24/2006 9:02:00 AM