The population of Jackson, NH consists of about 884 Yankees and other assorted folks. Unless it happens to be the month of October, that is, in which case the head count swells to a whopping 932 … or thereabouts! The reason? Pumpkin People!! Check out this year’s zany crop of vegetal vagabonds …
For the last 24 years, magical, intriguing Pumpkin People have been coming to the White Mountains of Jackson, NH in time to greet the changing foliage and the hordes of ‘Leaf Peepers’ who come to view them. Just how they first arrived or where they originally came from is still a mystery, but year after year these wonderful, colorful characters show up on our doorsteps, in front of businesses and in every conceivable posture and setting all over town. It happens in the blink of an eye. September 30 is a day like any other, with the sun setting at a noticeably early 6:29 pm. Then suddenly, on the First of October, it rises upon scores of pumpkin-bedecked faces in the midst of amusing and playful antics. No one sees them come into town in the dark of night, but we welcome them back with open arms!
The Pumpkin People announce themselves on a map of our village, their whereabouts marked for all to see. During the month of October you will see people walking all over town, maps in hand, scouting them out so they don’t miss a single one, and voting for their favorites. It is good, clean fun during my favorite -- and I think one of the most beautiful -- seasons of the year.
My husband and I decided to hit the ole ‘Pumpkin Trail’ yesterday, viewing most of the sights. He drove, and I was the co-pilot, giving directions and snapping tons of colorful photos! I’d love to take you on a tour to view them, too!
We might as well start right outside the front door of our inn, where Mary Pumpkin, er … I mean Mary Poppins awaits us, umbrella and satchel in hand. She seems to be wearing some very familiar clothes … in fact, they’re mine! Thank goodness for that umbrella, which has come in mighty handy so far. I t has been heck of a rainy week here in New England!
Rapumpzel awaits us next over at the local deli, her long tresses trailing from the second floor.
Across the street at a private home is a display that is always awesome and ‘over the top’. DD puts on quite a show, but then, everything she does is always top notch. Don’t you just love her ‘Pick Your Own’ apples?! This year DD’s theme was Pirates of the Carribbean, and here are a few shots of her labor of love:
Over at the Wentworth Inn are Johnny and June Carter Cash, with their song “Jackson” (how appropriate!) playing in the background!
Going up past Jackson Falls, which is still flowing mightily from all this rain, we come to the Carter Notch Inn, whose always off-color and slightly risqué displays are always a hoot-and-a-half! This year they made a “wind farm” … a take off on a local happening, just north of us, where a huge wind farm is in the making. There will be 33 gigantic windmills erected, and all summer we have been watching the 140’ blades drive by on their way to the site. Dick and Sally’s wind farm, however, was of a slightly different nature …!
And talk about ‘hoots’ … these adorable owls are perching outside our local florist shop!
Near the covered bridge is a pumpkin watering can, sprinkling what is left of our summer blooms. Nearby at our local beauty salon, Debony has some of the happiest and sweetest flowers around!
This Magician cuts a woman in half … hope he’s successful! Don’t you just love the feet coming out of the left side of the box?
Story Land is our local kids attraction, a mini Disney Land started over 50 years ago by a local couple. It has grown into a major destination, full of good. Clean wholesome family fun. Is it any wonder that they chose a fairy tale theme?
This butternut squash plays the part perfectly in our local massage therapist’s rendition of Edward Munch’s painting, The Scream. Sorry the photo is a bit skewed … her massage shop is on a sharp curve near the covered bridge and there were cars behind us when I quickly snapped the picture!
Frankenstein, The Mummy and Count Dracula regale us over at the Covered Bridge House B&B.
These adorable little fraulines wave a warm welcome at the Bernerhof Inn:
Stevie Wonder plays his keyboard, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves adorn a front porch, and the Smurfs frolic on a golf course.Who can resist the happy chef cooking away at the Wildcat Tavern, the Up, Up and Away display at the White Mountain Puzzle shop, or John Lennon and Yoko One as they Give Peace a Chance? There are a few more … a water skier, a Sumo wrestler and Beetlejuice:
In the display of Cruella Deville over at the Inn at Ellis River, our neighbors spent fully as much time creating the beautiful and elaborate set as they did on the Pumpkin People themselves. What dedication!
Let’s Give Thanks …. for our Military Men!
Musicians play a large part in the Pumpkin People World … Here are Elvis, The Beatles and the Jackson Five on their recent trips to Jackson!
October Pumpkin People may be fun and games, but like us, they are not immune to tragedies … Last year the Shannon Door Irish Pub re-enacted Finnegan’s Wake.
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| Here are two local celebrities: Tom and Atticus. |
In response to the tremendous amount of roadwork and construction that has taken place in our area, these clever construction workers work near a local bridge:
A hunter snoozes while the local game stops by to check him out. To his right, the Addams Family makes an appearance in town:
So, that’s a little look at what we do here in the mountains to celebrate the fall. Come on up and take a peek for yourself!
