NORWICH – Yes, there’s going to be a few thousand jack-o-lanterns. But that’s not the only draw at this weekend’s 9th Annual Pumpkin Festival.

Organizers say the fall gathering in downtown Norwich is packed with enough live acts and activities to fill-up two festivals, making up for the rain that washed out much of last year’s event.

“The Pumpkin Festival committee has been working very hard to assure that all our visitors to the festival will find lots of enjoyable entertainment and plenty of activities this year,” said organizer Pegi LoPresti.

The Pumpkin Festival, held in the East and West parks in downtown Norwich, officially begins Friday at noon and runs until Saturday night. It will be concluded with an official pumpkin tally and fireworks show.

The festival started out partly as a competition to break a world pumpkin record. Now, it’s become a showcase for family’s and the community at-large to express their creativity through one of America’s most popular seasonal traditions: the jack-o-lantern.

It’s also offered them a chance to be a part of something, and not just spectators, organizer Michele Lorimer says.