A Bead of Roses is pleased to announce the second annual Newtown Pumpkin Festival, to be held at Fairfield Hills on Saturday, October 11, from 3 to 9:30 pm.  The festival is a collaborative effort between A Bead of Roses, NYA Sports & Fitness, Newtown Kindness, The Chase Kowalski Fund, and many other Newtown non-profit groups and local businesses.

For last year’s inaugural festival, over 800 carved pumpkins were lit and displayed for the 1,500 attendees. Organizers say this year promises to be even better.

The mission of the festival is “to celebrate Halloween in a magical way, bringing the community together to enjoy this spectacle of light, along with food, games, music, and craft and merchandise tents,” said Traci Gentry. Based on the hugely successful annual pumpkin carving event in Keene, N.H., the festival celebrates the luminous beauty of thousands of glowing pumpkins, all carved with love by community members. Pumpkin drop-off will open at non.

Families and guests of all ages can celebrate the season with food vendors, craft vendors, games, raffles, and music throughout the late afternoon and evening.

It is the hope of the organizing committee that everyone who attends the festival will bring at least one carved pumpkin with them for the display. Cash prizes will be awarded for most creative pumpkins.

Sponsorship opportunities are available, and will ultimately determine the admission fee, if any, for the festival. Visit newtownpumpkinfestival.com for sponsorship forms, email traci@abeadofroses.com, or call A Bead of Roses at 203-304-9264 for more information.

Food and craft vendor applications are still being taken as well. Visit the festival website for more information and applications. The website also has important information on parking, pumpkin drop off, musical guests, and other frequently asked questions.