An estimated crowd of 3000 braved a cold and blustery morning Oct. 10 to witness the annual celebration of pumpkin-inspired watercraft in the third edition of the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest Regatta.
With emcee Larry Sidelinger barking out humorous play by play from the dock, returning “paddle” division champion Tim Smith cruised to a decisive victory in the first part of the race.
“I’m a kayaker so it’s all in the wrist, pumpkin or no pumpkin,” said Smith who traveled from Boston to take part in the festivities.
Many in the crowd had lined up an hour in advance to catch a glimpse of the famous competition that featured everything from a beaver to a Mississippi inspired paddleboat all made, per the rules, from a pumpkin.
After a blessing of the fleet by a visiting Southern minister, the race was dedicated to the memory of Woody Woodcock, a longtime supporter of the event who had recently passed away. The event ended with the “super modified” division, essentially pumpkin boats with small outboard engines, that featured a stunning display of pumpkin piloting by Mexicali Blues employee Topher Mallory who handily squashed the competition in his craft “Ship of Fools.”
Urged by Sidelinger to take another lap around the course, Mallory pumped his fist to the crowd and steamed toward the Schooner Landing for a well-earned victory drink. The event wrapped up a busy weekend of Pumpkin Festival related activities that drew large crowds to the Damariscotta area.
