NEWBURY, Vt., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- The owner of a farm in Newbury, Vt., says drenching rains washed as many as 100,000 pumpkins into the Connecticut River.

Margaret Gladstone of Newmont Farm told WMUR-TV, Manchester, N.H., at least two people who plucked pumpkins from the river have sent her money for them. She said other farmers have offered to help her fill orders.


The pumpkins had been picked and were waiting to be shipped when storms hit the area during the weekend. Gladstone estimated the total loss at 100,000 pumpkins.

About 4,000 made it at least 25 miles downstream, where they washed up on a beach near the Wilder Dam, just north of White River Junction.

Gladstone told WMUR she expects to be able to fill her order for the Keene Pumpkin Fest in New Hampshire. The event, held annually around Halloween, draws thousands of people to Keene to try to set a record for a mass display of lit jack o' lanterns.