Pumpkin fest arrests - New Hampshire officers have been forced to take several people at the Pumpkin Fest into custody after a riot broke out during the annual gathering over the weekend near Keene State College.
Police officers, who responded to the disturbances in riot gear, are believed to have arrested about 49 people on Saturday and 14 on Sunday - mainly for disorderly conduct.
Many others - about 30 - were reportedly injured in the incident and have since been taken to a hospital where they are receiving treatment.
Reports indicate that police resorted to using tear gas to diffuse the drunk crowd who "were just throwing everything they could find - rocks, skateboards, buckets, pumpkins," Ellery Murray, a Keene State student, is quoted saying by the Boston Globe.
Prior to the Pumpkin Fest arrests, a group of young people partying were shown on a video by WMUR-TV burning fires in the street, knocking over cars, destroying street signs and running from overcasts of tear gas.
About 235 distress calls were reportedly made to the police between Friday and Saturday during the annual Pumpkin Festival. According to residents, the aim of the gathering is "to set a world record of the largest number of carved and lighted jack-O-lanterns in one place," the Guardian says.
"There were about 4,000 kids in this backyard, and it almost felt like a war zone," Murray said.
Reports indicate that this year's Keene Pumpkin Festival took an unexpected turn as it coincided with several parties around the school.
Meanwhile, the management of the school have released a statement to relay their disappointed at the conducts of some of the students.
"We deplore the actions of those whose only purpose was to cause mayhem," the statement said. Authorities at the school insist that disciplinary actions would be taken against all students involved in the unruly incident.
The school would reportedly employ images, videos and media coverage including postings on social media to identify those involved in the incident.
Meanwhile, after the Pumpkin Fest arrests on Sunday morning, about 200 students have volunteered to clean up the debris caused by the festival that turned violent.
"We all recognize that we made a mistake and we're going to do better next year," says Mallory Pearce, a sophomore and vice president of the Keene student body.
After the Pumpkin Fest arrests, officials are looking to quickly bring the perpetrators, whom Keene authorities have described as out-of-town visitors, to book.
