A steady rain muddied the yard at Pinkham’s Plantation in Damariscotta Sept. 30 and prompted spectators, competitors and event volunteers alike to huddle under a tent during the fourth annual Damariscotta Pumpkinfest weigh off Sept. 30.
In a surprise, come from behind finish, event emcee Charlie Lopresti produced this year’s winning specimen, a 1332 lbs. pumpkin. Lopresti’s was the last pumpkin weighed.
Lopresti, who could not see the scale from where he was standing, told the crowd he estimated an 1100 pound pumpkin. “I am going to faint if you tell me its 1300 pounds,:” he said.
Lopresti’s effort took top honors away from Jefferson grower and former state record holder Ed Pierpont who entered a 1230.5 pound pumpkin, earning second place.
Pierpont, who entered a giant white pumpkin, said he was satisfied with his effort.
“My goal was grow big ugly white pumpkin and I got it,” he said.
Wes Page, who made the 4.5 hour trip form Portage Lake specifically for this weigh off, placed third with a 1121.5 lbs entrant.
Al Berard, Sanford, placed fourth, 1034.5 lbs. Berard’s was the first pumpkin weighed Sunday to break the 1000 pound barrier.
Joe Gaboury, Readfield secured fifth place with a 933 lbs. entrant.
Other finishers included Steve Pierpont, Cushing, 733.5 lbs.; Jerrad Dinsmore, Warren, 656 lbs.; Sam Kaler, Boothbay, 564 lbs.; Dan Wrigley, Jr., Oakland, 547 lbs.; Mary Gowan and Jaylin King, Gorham, 537 lbs.; David Gott, Sabattus, 295 lbs.; Ida Berg, 118.5 lbs.; and Don and Togus Carrigan, Walpole, 61.
Ed Pierpont also took honors in the squash competition with a 1109-pound specimen.
Matt Holmes, of Limington who suffered a heart attack last week and was in Maine Medical Center for treatment, joined the weigh off by telephone. Matt’s brother Russell called Matt while volunteers weighed Matt’s 702 lbs. squash.
Russell Holmes’ squash weighed 857.5 pounds. Russell said the squash was grown in his father’s garden and entered in his memory. Holmes’ father, Mint Holmes, passed away in January.
Complete weigh off results are available for viewing at
http://www.facebook.com/damariscottapumpkinfest.
