PUMPKIN FESTIVAL: Marred by Riot in Keene, New Hampshire

Last year the annual Pumpkin Festival in Keene, New Hampshire set a record for 30,581 lit jack-o'lanterns. This year it made news when it was marred by a riot for no apparent reason.

Police shot tear gas and pepper spray at thousands of college-age rioters who started fires, tore down signs and flipped cars on Saturday night. Dozens were arrested and the clean up continued on Sunday.

One witness described the scene as fun. Steven French, an 18-year-old who was visiting from Haverhill, Massachusetts said, "It's [expletive] wicked. It's just like a rush. You're revolting from the cops. It's a blast to do things you're not supposed to do."

The riot was an embarrassment for Keene State Colle, whose president Anne E. Huot said in a statement she was “saddened and disheartened at the events surrounding this year’s Keene Pumpkin Festival...We are mindful that Keene State students played a part in this behavior and we intend to hold those individuals accountable for their actions. We deplore the actions of those whose only purpose was to cause mayhem. And we are grateful for the swift response of law enforcement and first responders who worked to minimize injuries and damage.”