Pumpkin Festival Moves To Laconia

 ( Laconia, N.H. ) -The city of Laconia will host this year's annual pumpkin festival after the city of Keene declined to issue a permit for the event  following violence near last year's festival. Laconia mayor Ed Engler said Laconia's experience hosting the  annual motorcycle festival has given officials a good handle on security and public safety. 

Keene City Councilors refused to grant a permit for what would have been the 25th annual event, citing the alcohol-fueled rioting near the Keene State College during last falls festival.