By Dominik Lobkowicz
Buzz Pinkham (front) and Tom Lishness – two of the three founders of Pumpkinfest – race their motorized pumpkin boats back to the dock on their final lap for second and third place. Pinkham took second by half a pumpkin. (D. Lobkowicz photo) |
In true Pumpkinfest style, the Pumpkinboat Regatta in Damariscotta Oct. 13 was full of zany costumes, fancy pumpkin boats, and comical antics, but there were a few twists this
year, like a marriage proposal and Senator Susan Collins helping announce the races.
Though a bit windy at times, the sun was shining as hundreds packed onto the shore to watch contestants both paddle and drive their pumpkin craft around the
Damariscotta River.
Senator Collins, who helped announce many of the races with Don Carrigan and Larry Sidelinger, was effusive when meeting Buzz Pinkham, one of Pumpkinfest’s founders.
“What a beautiful festival,” Collins said. “I must say, the creativity of those pumpkins is just unbelievable. The porcupine, the tooth fairy, they’re
extraordinary.”
“It is great how many people it brings in your town,” she said.
Read more about the Pumpkinboat Regatta in the Oct. 16 edition of The Lincoln County News.
Senator Susan Collins greets Buzz Pinkham, one of Pumpkinfest’s founders, just prior to the annual Pumpkinboat Regatta. (D. Lobkowicz photo) |