IT’S A PUMPKIN FESTIVAL DUAL IN 2011: HIGHWOOD, ILLINOIS VS. KEENE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

HIGHWOOD, IL (AUGUST 2011) – The Cities of Highwood, Illinois, and Keene, New Hampshire, are pleased to announce a challenge of astronimical proportions - the dual attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record of most jack-o-lanterns lit at once in separate locations on October 22, 2011. These dualing community-hosted pumpkin festivals will be held at the same time, and each city will attempt to break the current world record of 30,128 jack-o-lanterns currently held by Boston since 2006. Both small towns have decided to come together in the spirit of friendly competition to showcase how two separate cities can shine and exemplify the beauty of community involvement.

In accordance with the Guinness Book of World Records, Highwood and Keene must count and light their pumpkins at the same time on October 22, announcing the final number at 7 pm CST (Highwood) and 8 pm EST (Keene), respectively.

After a trip to Keene, Highwood Alderman Eric Falberg witnessed their grand Pumpkin Festival and knew the enthusiastic citizens and businesses of Highwood would embrace a similar event, thus the “Prelude” to the Record Breaking Highwood Pumpkin Festival was born in 2009. After the first year of attempting to break the record in 2010, and not succeeding (but getting very close with at 26,287), but having fun nonetheless, Falberg decided to reach out to reprentatives within Keene’s famous festival that has been going on for twenty years.  He extended a friendly competition invite. Much to his surprise, they agreed, and the deal was sealed officially when Keene Mayor P. Dale Pregent placed a phone call July 22 to partipate in a challenge!

“We are accepting your challenge with open arms,” announced Mayor Pregent. ““The Pumpkin Festival is an event built on community spirit and pride that brings people together to celebrate each other and our city through the glow of pumpkins,” said Mayor Pregent. “The more Pumpkin Festivals there are in the world, the better our world would be. Going for the world record adds to the excitement but even before the compeition starts, we have won just by the challenge. If we can spread the message and give other communties the opportunity to say ‘you matter, your pumpkin counts, come join us’ it doesn’t get any better than that.”

The original Pumpkin Festival, which has been copied in cities across the United States, started in Keene, NH, in 1991, the brainchild of communications and public relations professional Nancy Sporborg, who is joining Mayor Pregent in officially representing Keene and echoes his sentiments: “The magic of the Pumpkin Festival is not about setting the World Record,” Sporborg explains, “but it is that record that enables us to bring deeper meaning and enthusiastic participation to the event. By going for the record, we can give a meaningful invitation to everyone that their pumpkin counts and they matter.” Sporborg has been inspirational to organizers past and present with messages like, “It’s not our secret to hold close, it is our joy to share.” She also adds—“As for breaking the world record, NEVER count us out!” The Keene Pumpkin Festival earned 8 Guinness World Records and has become a traditional time of homecoming for college students, extended families and friends gathering to carve and admire pumpkins.

Highwood’s Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest is a four day event from October 19-22 that includes the Highwood Evening Gourmet Farmers Market at City Hall Park, vendors galore, live music on multiple stages, hay rides, a haunted house, pumpkin carving stations, massive pumpkin displays, celebratory nightly lightings of the main pumpkin wall, a 5K Pumpkin Run and Kid’s Dash, Pumpkin Parade, Pumpkin pie-eating contest, trick or treating in the streets, and much more. Keene’s Pumpkin Festival is Saturday, October 22, Noon to 8:30PM and takes place in the heart of the city, one of the most attractive downtowns in New England. Streets are closed to traffic and open to thousands of pumpkins displayed on two dazzling towers. “One pumpkin per person” is the mantra of this year’s organizers. Historically the number of visitors has exceeded 50,000 each year, so Keene could leave Highwood in the pumpkin patch dust. Each town is bursting with event excitement and feel-good vibes!

“The beauty of Highwood is our community and we’re thrilled we’ve found kindred spirits within the Keene community,” says Highwood Mayor Charlie Pecaro. “Of course the bragging rights as the record breaker will be a sweet spot for Highwood, however, it’s the coming together of our communities that is what is most important. Both festivals bring so much joy, and we’re simply honored to be in Keene’s company.”

For more information about the dualing Pumpkin Festivals please visit http://highwoodpumpkinfest.com and http://pumpkinfestival2011.org.

About The City of Highwood

Highwood was founded in 1868 by William Wallace Everts, a Chicago civic leader and world-renown educator. His concept of a family-based community has endured for more than a century. The beautiful Everts Park, in the heart of downtown Highwood, has been named in the founder's honor. Benches and trees in the park celebrate and remember people who, through turbulent times and peaceful ones, built and sustained the community. Many of Highwood's street names recall Everts' family and friends whom the founder encouraged to build homes here. Residents of Swedish, Irish, Italian, Latino and other heritages have since populated the community, each enriching the community through their cultural traditions.

The Village of Highwood was incorporated in 1887. The name briefly became Village of Fort Sheridan and then City of Fort Sheridan. In 1904, the community officially became known as the City of Highwood. Fort Sheridan, a former army base northeast of the City, has had a profound influence on Highwood's development, and it continues to do so today as part of its land, incorporated into the City, nearly doubled Highwood in size. Today, Highwood is blending the past and present with exciting new plans for its future.

The City of Highwood, IL administrative offices are located at 17 Highwood Avenue
Highwood, Illinois 60040.  For more information, please visit http://www.celebratehighwood.com
or http://www.cityofhighwood.com  Tel: 847.432.1924.

About the City of Keene

The National Trust for Historic Preservation named Keene to its list of "America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations" in 2003, citing the city's well-managed growth, commitment to historic preservation, attractive architecture, cultural diversity, activities for families with children, economic base of locally-owned small businesses, and walkability for residents and visitors.  The Trust described Keene as "A Currier & Ives landscape come to life, where pristine local landmarks and bucolic rolling hills provide a perfect spot for family fun.... Although its population is small, Keene, NH, (population 22,563) is a giant when it comes to history... Because so many of the town's earliest structures have remained unchanged for more than two centuries, it's easy to get lost in time..... Commended for its commitment to the preservation of historic landmarks, the revitalization of the downtown, and the protection of its unique heritage, the National Trust attested, "Keene represents a truly distinctive slice of America. That makes it an exciting alternative to the homogenization of many other vacation spots. More American cities and towns [should] follow Keene's lead in preserving their own spirit of place." Keene is home to Keene State College and Antioch University of New England as well as the regional Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene and C&S Wholesale Grocers, both longtime sponsors of the Keene Pumpkin Festival. To reach city officials in Keene, please contact Helen K. Mattson, Executive Assistant to the City Manager and the Mayor, 3 Washington Street, Keene, NH  03431 (603) 357-9804, hmattson@ci.keene.nh.us