NORWICH – The official pumpkin count for last year’s Pumpkin Festival was 3,983. This year, with the addition of those secured by the Pumpkin Festival Committee, Norwich is sure to top that number as the Norwich Pumpkin Festival officially begins in East and West Park.

According to Pegi LoPresti, executive director of the Norwich Business Improvement District, the Pumpkin Festival Committee was able to secure 3,200 pumpkins for the community carving tent in East Park. “We have plenty of pumpkins left to be carved,” LoPresti said, inviting community members to share in the fun by stopping to carve a pumpkin in the tent.

The 3,200 pumpkins will be added to the festival’s total count, but LoPresti explained community members are still encouraged and expected to bring their own pumpkins to be checked in as well. “We’re still hoping to reach 10,000 pumpkins this year,” LoPresti said.