FREEPORT – Freeport will be awash in pumpkins Saturday as Camp Sunshine holds its fourth annual Pumpkin Festival on the main campus of L.L Bean.

According to organizers, there will be live music, tasty treats, children’s games, a costume parade, and, of course, lots of pumpkin carving and decorating. The event runs from noon-8 p.m.

Located on Sebago Lake, Camp Sunshine provides respite, joy and hope for children with life-threatening illnesses and their immediate families. The year-round program is free of charge and includes 24-hour onsite support.

Michael Smith, Camp Sunshine’s director of special events, said for $10, attendees can help make a difference in the lives of children with life-threatening illnesses and their families by sponsoring one or more of the 10,000 pumpkins.

As an incentive, from now until the end of October, Camp Sunshine will be giving away at random round-trip Jet Blue flights and $100 L.L. Bean gift cards after every 1,000 pumpkins have been sponsored, up to a total of 10 Jet Blue tickets and 10 L.L. Bean gift cards.

Those interested in sponsoring one or more pumpkins can text CAMP to 20222.

The event is a huge undertaking and requires up to 350 volunteers to pull off, said Smith.

“Last year we raised $80,000 after an initial goal of $100,000 on honor of L.L. Bean’s 100th anniversary,” he said.

Camp Sunshine is no stranger to mass gatherings of pumpkins; in 2006 the camp set a record for the most jack-o-lanterns in one place with 30,128. Unfortunately, that record fell this weekend as residents of Keene, N.H., eclipsed the mark by a few hundred, said Smith.

“It’s a great community event and kids really get involved from Freeport schools,” he added.

A CLOSER LOOK

Camp Sunshine’s Pumpkin Festival is Saturday Oct. 26, from noon-8 p.m., at the L.L. Bean campus on Main Street in Freeport. The event will feature pumpkin carving, a costume parade, live music, food and children’s games. The event is free. For information or to sponsor a pumpkin, visit www.campsunshine.org.