Final count: 29,762
by Sentinel Staff
Published in The Keene Sentinel: 
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Finally and officially, the number of pumpkins carved and lit at the 2009 Keene Pumpkin Festival stands at 29,762.
A recount ordered after officials found uncounted log-in sheets added 694 gourds to the figure announced at Saturday's event.
The total count shattered Keene's previous high-water mark for jack-o-lanterns - set in 2003 with 28,952 - but is several hundred shy of the world record; 30,128, set by the city of Boston three years ago.
Still, "we're not totally disappointed," said Suzanne Woodward of Center Stage Cheshire County, the nonprofit organizer of the event. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to surpass Boston, but I guess that's how it is."
Volunteers with Center Stage conducted the recount Tuesday and an accountant verified the results.
In the 19-year history of the festival, this is the first time log-in sheets have gone uncounted, Woodward said
With the counting over and done with, and most of the pumpkin guts cleared off of Main Street, it's almost time to look ahead to the next festival. Almost.
"We have no thought right now" Woodward said. "It's probably another month before we'll have any thoughts on that"
And in the meantime, "I don't want to count anything; I don't want to answer the phone anymore; I don't want to be on the computer," she said. "I'm, getting a massage."
