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There’s new hope for Milford Pumpkin Festival

MILFORD – A former Pepperell, Massachusetts. resident who had organized that town’s July Fourth fireworks has offered to take charge of the Milford Pumpkin Festival, bringing hope that the annual event will go on.

Carol Gates spoke at a special meeting of the Board of Selectmen Monday night, held to discuss the festival’s future.

“Can it be done – absolutely,” she said. Will the 28-year-old festival be done the way it’s always been done, “probably not,” but “losing it is not an option.”

Town officials had scheduled the meeting after putting out a call for help last month when both the Milford Improvement Team and Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce said they will not organize the festival.

Wade Campbell, a member of the town budget committee, will be working with Gates, and he said they want to have a forum with business owners to talk about limiting the negative impact for businesses on the Milford Oval.

“Putting the focus back on businesses has to be a priority,” Gates told the packed meeting room.

Kevin Stephens, owner of the Union Street Grill, said the big issue was parking, and it would help if the festival start time was noon, rather than 10 a.m.

“We are at a crossroads now,” said selectmen’s Chairman Mark Fougere, and the new organizers might want to make changes.

Everyone seemed to agree that this year’s festival will be smaller, since there is less time to prepare.

Several people noted that carnival rides and games have come under criticism and suggested they be moved off the Oval, maybe to Shepard Park or Keyes Field.

There still is a lot of uncertainty about money. With less than nine months to go before Columbus Day weekend, there is not enough time to create a new nonprofit group.

“We really need a nonprofit involved from a financial standpoint,” Town Administrator Mark Bender said.

Doug Whitney, of the Odd Fellows, a longtime festival sponsor, offered his help and Trisha Shea, of the Milford Lions Club, said the club would probably be interested in partnering with another nonprofit to help.

No Milford Improvement Team members seemed to be at the meeting, and Gates said she has talked to an MIT board member and the organization’s future in uncertain.

Brendan Philbrick, an organizer of the town’s Labor Day parade, brought up issues connected to the pumpkin festival’s budget and selectmen cut him off.

“With all due respect,” said Kevin Federico, “we are not here to talk about MIT. We are not here to defend MIT’s budget.”

Several people talked about how much their families love the festival.

Bender said there is a list in Town Hall for people to sign up to help and meeting dates will be posted on the town’s web site.

Kathy Cleveland can be reached at 673-3100 or kcleveland@cabinet.com.

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