10/08/2018
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location
Damariscotta Harbor
Damariscotta Harbor
Event Type
The Regatta will take place when high tide allows each year. For 2018, that will be at 12:00 noon, with a Free Concert by Misery Gulch Band at Water Street from 10:00am-11:30am.
The event can be viewed in-person in Damariscotta Harbor AND via live-feed into The Lincoln Theater and on LCTV local Channel 7
Commentary by Larry Sidelinger & Don Carrigan & Bobby Ives
Needless to say, those 600# pumpkinboats need HIGH TIDE to be able to float & go really fast!
There are 2 divisions in the regatta: the “Paddleboat” and the “Powerboat” Divisions. Paddleboat races consist of several heats, with a final overall heat to determine the winner. Depending on participation, there also may be a relay team contest.
In the Powerboat division, the pumpkinboats are actually outfitted with a 5-10 hp outboard motor, resulting in a crowd-pleasing and memorable race. All teams in both divisions will be competing for the coveted “Golden Gourd” trophies.
Yet another exciting regatta event which debuted in 2011, and which MAY be repeated depending on participation, is “Pumpkinboat Polo”! This event consists of a competition where the objective is to retrieve a specific colored ball, using a “smelt net”, from a center corral and place that ball — one at a time — into each of four perimeter rings. The first participant to place all four balls into each of the four perimeter rings wins!
The regatta can be viewed harbor-side, or via a “live feed” into The Lincoln Theater, where spectators are able to watch the event, seated in the warmth and comfort of the historic theater.