Come and build your own pumpkin boat racer or watch the intrepid boat builders transform a giant pumpkin into a seaworthy vessel.

The rules are “there are no rules and no fouls, other than that the pumpkin needs to float and needs to go really fast”! Described as the “extreme sport of gardening,” this real-life jack-in-the- beanstalk sport has been seen by over 30,000 fans. Visitors have flocked to Damariscotta to watch giant gourds -steered by captains either paddling or powered by “wicked nice motors”- ply the waters of the Damariscotta River.

Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta™ is all about the kids! Hundreds of volunteer “Squashbucklers” invest thousands of hours to ensure that free (or nearly free) family fun abounds during Pumpkinfest, from the weigh-offs at the beginning to the free matinee at the end.

KidsZone Sponsor: Tidewater Telecom

Queen’s Throne Sponsor: Phelps Architects

The KidsZone activities & events will be held on Columbus Day weekend (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) during Pumpkinfest, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. daily. New this year, the KidsZone moves to DRA’s Darrows Barn to ensure lots of fun, rain or shine!

Families with children of all ages can enjoy the giant pumpkin bounce houses and the inflatable giant-slide, family photographs surrounded by Atlantic Giant Pumpkins & hay bales (think: “holiday cards” !!), temporary tattoos, face painting, sand treasures, pick-a-pumpkin, ring toss, spin-and-win, and pick-a-door, to name a few of the fun games and activities.

A mandatory “KidZone” waiver must be signed by a parent/guardian before game-tokens can be purchased.

The traditional Saturday Children’s Story Hour continues to be sponsored by Skidompha Library.

Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta™ is all about the kids! Hundreds of volunteer “Squashbucklers” invest thousands of hours to ensure that free (or nearly free) family fun abounds during Pumpkinfest, from the weigh-offs at the beginning to the free matinee at the end.

Sponsor: Skidompha Library

This yummy event is free to enter and pits all chefs, bakers, and wannabe Food Network stars in the Pumpkin Dessert Contest. Cash prizes, trophies and cookbooks will be awarded!  Preregistration is required.

Register by Wednesday, Oct 3rd.  Full rules and forms are located here or in-person at Skidompha Library.

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Drop off entries for judging in Porter Hall at Skidompha Library.

1:15 p.m. – Results Announced/Tastings Sold – Theater Street Busker Stage

All types of pumpkin desserts — pies, cakes, cookies, muffins, shortbreads, puddings, crisps, clafoutis, cobblers, tarts, candies, mousse, souffles, ice creams, tortes, trifles, creme caramels, flans, semi-freddos, crepes, strudels — are eligible but they must include fresh, frozen, or canned pumpkin.

Pumpkin pie spice alone does not count.

Sponsors: Mexicali Blues / King Arthur Flour

Sponsor: Sullivan Tire & Auto Service

Music & Hooping by The Nikki Hunt Band

The ever-popular Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest is held immediately following the Official Giant Pumpkin Parade (which begins at 2:15 p.m.) , on Saturday of Columbus Day weekend. Contestants are divided into two categories, aged 12 and under, and aged 13 and over, and a good time is had by all! Winners are awarded a T-shirt, all the pumpkin pie they can eat, and bragging rights for the next year!

Commentary by John Riley

Sponsors: Mid-Coast Energy Systems/Hannaford Supermarket & Pharmacy/Valley View Orchard Pies

The Pumpkin Derby features small, non-motorized pumpkin racers (total weight not to exceed 20 pounds) that race on a 50 yard course in downtown Damariscotta.

Sponsors: Newcastle Chrysler Dodge-Jeep-Ram-Viper / First National Bank

Entrants, who design, decorate and build the pumpkin racers, compete in three age groups:

Youth — 12 years and younger (Pumpkins decorated and raced by children, with parental assistance in building)

Teens — 13-19 (Pumpkins decorated and raced by teens, with or without parental assistance)

Adults — 20 years and up

The winners of each group face-off in the ultimate duel, a race to see who will be the Grand Champion and take home the checkered flag!

There also are prizes for scariest, funniest, and most creative pumpkin racers.

Come watch Giant Pumpkin Sling Shot Fun at DRA’s Round Top Farm!

Airborne pumpkins are an all natural source of fun at Pumpkinfest – whether sling-shotted, catapulted, dropped, trebucheted, or otherwise launched – so come see the gourds as they fly through the air.

Free to watch, $5 for 6 sling-shot shots.
Sponsor: Dead River Company

Think “Easter Egg Hunt” only in orange !! Each year over 300 Jack-be-Littles, hidden in the Damariscotta River Association’s field, wait to be discovered by excited youngsters participating in Damariscotta Pumpkinfest’s™ Pumpkin Hunt. Children’s prizes, generously donated by Renys – A Maine Adventure- ensure that no one goes home empty handed!

Sponsors: Renys – A Maine Adventure / Clark Farm Stand

The renowned rock band “Nikki Hunt Band” will be performing from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Hunt & Drop, so come early and enjoy their great sound !!

Immediately following the Pumpkin Hunt, visitors can thrill to the sight of 600# Atlantic Giant Pumpkins being dropped from a 180’ crane onto targets ranging from a local police department’s junked-cruiser to double-decker junked-cars stacked on top of one another! In the green-spirit of recycling, the splattered pumpkin pulp is gathered for eventual pig feed at a local farm, and the previously junked-cars are recycled as scrap metal.

1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Music by The Nikki Hunt Band

1:00 – 1:45 p.m. Pre-register entrants for Hunt

2:00 p.m. – Hunt begins (Age 5 and younger)

2:30 p.m. – Hunt begins (Age 6 and older)

Visitors can thrill to the sight of huge Atlantic Giant Pumpkins being dropped from a 180’ crane onto junk cars and into inflatable swimming pools.  In the green-spirit of recycling, the splattered pumpkin pulp is gathered for eventual pig feed at a local farm, and the previously junked-cars are recycled as scrap metal.

Sponsored by: Mobius, Inc. / Keeley Crane Service

The renowned rock band “Nikki Hunt Band” will be performing from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Hunt & Drop, so come early and enjoy their great sound !!

The Giant Pumpkin Drop immediately follows the Pumpkin Hunt.