JACKSON, New Hampshire — Chuck's Big Adventure is traveling to New England. It is an area known for its beauty, history, lobsters and, in autumn, its explosion of color. It is also home to a place generally regarded as the worst weather in America. But away from that all is a place known for its Pumpkin People.
Jackson, New Hampshire
Without question, autumn in New England is all about leaves. In the six states that make up the region, tourists flood the area for a month, gazing at leaves from the Atlantic coast to the valleys of Vermont to the mountains of New Hampshire.
That means there is a lot of competition for visitor dollars in a short period of time. How in the world do towns lure guests? More importantly, how can a town use autumn to bring in throngs of tourists, yet bind its people together for decades with a legacy event?
Jackson, New Hampshire, has figured it out.
Welcome to the home of the "Pumpkin People."
For 38 years, the town’s businesses have produced crazy, funny, marvelous exhibits made from pumpkins and gourds. From movie themes to sports to local celebrities, these pumpkin displays have extended the season for visitors, and for many, that is great news.
Sue Ann Methot, owner of the Snowflake Inn, knows that in this competitive world of leaves, pumpkins are a great draw.
"It certainly is a big season up here and – as if the leaves aren't enough to bring people up here – we started doing Pumpkin People a very long time ago," Methot said. "It was just a few residents and a few businesses, and then, it sort of took off. And it causes traffic jams like you're seeing here, people starting to come to see the Pumpkin People. We get all kinds of attention here. Everybody picks their own theme. There's no theme for every year. It's whatever you want."
Nearby North Conway, New Hampshire, has also joined in the party, so the whole valley is participating in a unique art form that makes this area a destination point. Some businesses start their brainstorming in June and then begin the process that culminates with their creations on display Oct. 1.
Michele and Kevin Pratt own Flossie's General Store. The business is right next to the town's symbol, a single lane covered bridge. Their theme is a Smokey Bear pumpkin figure that stresses keeping aware when driving near the bridge. It's a funny yet real plea to folks who keep smacking their vehicles into the side of the structure.
"We decided, actually our employee came up with the idea because we were going to just do a work crew, a bridge crew. She said, 'How about we do Smokey the Bear?' So we came up with Ellis the Bear, and kind of worked it from that," Michelle said. "We always have issues with people hitting the bridge with their car, with a tractor trailer, cement trucks, busses, anything. So we decided to come up with him saying, 'Only you can prevent accidents and collisions.'"
The event is working. Methot feels the tourist season is actually extended now, keeping guest dollars coming in for a couple more weeks.
"The state recognized what Pumpkin People was doing for this whole valley, and North Conway came on board with the Return of the Pumpkin People in Jackson," Methot said. "So it's become a valley-wide event and now, with the state's request to take it to the end of the month, we are now taking it out to Halloween."
In case you are wondering, yes, the pumpkins do get soft and rot, so it's important to have a spare head ready ... just in case. In the meantime, Jackson's Return of The Pumpkin People is now a New Hampshire autumn favorite and a highlight for visitors looking for something that isn't a leaf!
Conway Scenic Railroad
New Hampshire's Conway Scenic Railroad absolutely lives up to its name.
We took the Mountaineer Excursion, which is a roughly 60-mile roundtrip through some of the most incredible mountain scenery.
You can ride in coach all the way up to first class for a truly memorable experience.
The railroad also offers several other trips of varying distances and locations that are perfect for families.
