Fall Favorite: Pumpkinfest Prep Underway in Maine

During the final weeks of September, many Maine towns are winding down and getting ready for the long, slow winter ahead, not Damariscotta. For the past 5 years, Damariscotta has hosted an Pumpkinfest celebrating giant pumpkins. It all started as a informal gathering of a few friends; Buzz Pinkham, Billy Clark, and Tom Lishness who grew some giant pumpkins and decided to turn them into boats and race them in the Damariscotta River. It has now grown to an event that, according to Pumpkinfest Adminstrative co-ordinator Kathy Anderson, “Last year, local police were estimating 10,000+” attendees over the 3 day weekend.

Pumpkinfest now includes a giant pumpkin weigh off with over $10,000 in cash prizes, pumpkin boat racing, a pumpkin parade, a pumpkin derby, and a pumpkin drop- where giant pumpkins are dropped from a crane 200 feet in the air onto junked cars. As crowds of grown each year, so has the support of local businesses. Charter sponsorship comes from Down East Magazine, Lincoln County News, and Colby and Gale,while dozens over other businesses chip in at other levels. Anderson said, “This year Damariscotta and Lincoln County sponsorship has been very generous, with a supportive business community recognizing that people in town equates to revenue, both that weekend, and ongoing as people return to Christmas shop…Pumpkinfest appreciates very much the support of all our sponsors, both financial and in-kind, and gratefully dedicate this year’s Pumpkinfest to all of them.”

In this time of economic downturn, Damariscotta, Maine has found a fun and unique way to attract thousands of people for one last much needed boost before the long winter ahead.

The 2011 Pumpkinfest & Regatta runs from October 1 through the 10th.

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