Wes Page made the trip from Portage Lake to Damariscotta specifically for the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest Weigh off Sunday.
For those keeping score, Portage Lake is roughly 240 miles from Damariscotta. Leaving Lincoln County, a driver with a lead foot could almost New York City in the five hours or so it took Page to drive his 1100 pound entry to the Damariscotta contest.
Six years on since the very first Damariscotta Pumpkinfest, and the lengths to which these pumpkin enthusiasts go still never cease to amaze. What started out a few years ago with Bristol grower Bill Clark just trying to get the better of Sanford grower Al Berard in a two-man competition has taken on a life of its own.
It speaks to what Pumpkinfest co-founder Buzz Pinkham calls “the power of the pumpkin.”
The big pumpkin events, the pumpkin chunkin’, the parade, and of course the pumpkin carving are still ahead this week. We encourage you to get out and take it in.
In the weeks ahead, there will be time enough to turn our attention to real life; the election, the holidays, fundraising efforts for the Community Energy Fund and local food pantries this winter.
Right now, the weather is still beautiful, the leaves are turning, and the game is afoot.
Enjoy.
