Pumpkin Fest Rioters Get Creative Sentences

Three man can visit school classrooms and talk to kids to get fines reduced

Three young men convicted of disorderly conduct after violence broke out near last year's Keene Pumpkin Festival in New Hampshire have been offered a chance to reduce their $1,000 fines by explaining their actions to elementary school students.

Keene police Sgt. Jason Short says a judge told the three college-age men that they could reduce their fines by $200 for each Keene elementary school classroom they visit to explain how their behavior led to the festival's cancellation.

Held in Keene since 1991, the pumpkin festival tries each year to set a record for the number of carved and lighted pumpkins. After alcohol-fueled parties nearby led to injuries, property damage and more than 100 arrests last year, the Keene City Council rejected its permit for 2015. Laconia plans to host it next fall instead.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us