October 31, 2006 For Immediate Release News from Manchester and the Mountains Regional Chamber of Commerce Press Contact: Hugh Miller, 802.362.6313, hmiller@manchesterchamber.net Pumpkin Carving Festival in Manchester Sets New World Record Despite some of the worst weather since last winter, nearly 300 people turned out to take part in a World Record. The Manchester and the Mountains Regional Chamber of Commerce set out to have the most carvers of Jack-O-Lanterns, carved simultaneously, in one place, at one time. The event was co-sponsored by the Orvis Company and took place at their Flagship store in Manchester, VT. Last Saturday, as the rain came streaming down, families poured in to witness the carving of the 450+ lb pumpkin from Equinox Valley Nursery. As soon as this colossal feat was accomplished, the children’s costume judging took place amid the screaming delight of the young monsters, goblins, and fairies. Orvis and the Northshire Bookstore provided the special gifts to the winners of the costume contest. As 2 pm approached, the registrations of world record carvers were coming in fast and furious. Jay Hathaway, Executive Director of the Manchester and the Mountains Regional Chamber of Commerce, Inc., with bullhorn in hand, signaled the crowd to begin carving the selected 24+ lb pumpkins that Guinness World Records, Ltd specified in their list of rules and regulations. 118 official carvers began to turn their assigned pumpkins into Jack-O-Lanterns at the exact same moment. Many finished their task in less than 20 minutes, while the crowds shouted encouragement and mother nature boomed thunderstorms overhead. When all were transformed, each was lit by a legion of volunteers. Everyone cleared away from the carving tables and scores of photographs were taken of the light show in the ethereal darkness of the inner tent. Whilst the adults were undertaking a world record, many younger carvers were focused on various sized pumpkins at adjacent tables. Free ice cream, hot dogs, coffee, donuts and hot cider kept the large gathering warm and sustained. Fox 101.5 Radio broadcast the proceedings live and performed interviews with those who wanted to lend their voice to this record breaking event. After the photo opportunity, volunteers loaded the pumpkins into trucks and private cars for their police escorted trip down to Bennington to add our pumpkins to the Better Bennington Corporation’s attempt to dethrone Keene, NH from their title of most lighted Jack-O-Lanterns in one place, at one time. |