NORTH SMITHFIELD – The unpredictable New England weather did not cooperate Saturday afternoon, leaving vendors, performers and visitors to the 17th annual Great Pumpkin Festival a little on the damp side.
Visitors ducked beneath canopies and umbrellas to watch a demonstration by Okinawan Temple Karate of Smithfield.
The festival committee met on Friday, Sept. 20 to vote on whether or not to move forward with the one day event, scheduled to include more than 100 vendors. At the time, most forecasts showed only a 30 percent chance of rain.
BoBo the Clown made balloon creations.
Many vendors backed out on Friday night and Saturday morning, with concerns that products could get ruined in the rain.
But most followed through, offering activities, food, crafts and information to the smaller than usual crowd in attendance.
Scouts offered a free archery activity.The Rusty Buckle petting zoo brought a prize pig.The Parks & Recreation Committee offered information about activities including the community garden. From left are Ann Lilley, Jennifer Keith and Parks & Recreation Program Coordinator Kate Pasquariello.The Lions Club had candy bars and juice for sale. From left are Gregg Devlin and Ricahrd Nolan.Members of the Generations Barbershop Quartet stuck around after their performance – with matching umbrellas of course.Students with Krylo Dance Studio of Woonsocket were on the ground for a demonstration.Colt & the Coyotes performed in the entertainment tent.
