2004 Life is good Pumpkin Festival

A new tradition in Boston started on Saturday, October 23. The Life is good Pumpkin Festival at the Boston Common attempted to break the world record for lit jack-o-lanterns. Over 45,000 New Englanders took part in the fun and by the end of the day 16,426 jack-o-lanterns were lit! Not quite enough to break the record held in Keene, NH but still a lot of fun for a great cause. $101,210 was raised for Camp Sunshine, a national retreat in Maine for children with life-threatening illnesses. In addition, the festival featured live bands, a pie-eating contest, a costume parade, face painting, a live magic show, rocks climbing walls and more. The event was produced in conjunction with the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department.