One fine Sunday morning in October, my wife and I with bags packed, got into the car and headed off on a several hundred-mile journey. Our destination was Damariscotta, Maine. We were not going to their giant pumpkin weigh-off, as we’ve been to many weigh-offs over the years. And actually, the weigh-off was the day before we left. Rather, we planned to attend the giant pumpkin boat regatta on Monday. Making, floating, and racing pumpkin boats is not unique. However, it certainly is uncommon. Little did we know on Sunday, that the regatta would be one of the biggest highlights of a wonderful week-long stay in the great state of Maine.
After the giant pumpkin weigh-off is over, growers seek unique and different ways to use pumpkins weighing one thousand to two thousand pounds or more. Floating a giant pumpkin boat over a waterway certainly fits the description. These unstable boats are propelled by oars, paddles, or even small boat motors. Why, you could even sail a pumpkin boat by wind power if the winds cooperate.
Growers make a pumpkin boat by cutting a large hole into their giant fruit. Then, they remove the seeds and slimy strings from the inside. Next, it’s time to decorate their “boat” in all sorts of creative ways. Bright, colorful paints are used. Some people put flags on the back. The only limitation is the boatowners imagination. And obviously. the fine folks in Maine are very creative. Now the pumpkin boat is seaworthy and ready to race.
A number of festival sites have held pumpkin regattas. Central Park in New York City once held a regatta. But, they are few and far between. If you ever get a chance to see a giant pumpkin boat regatta or other pumpkin boat event, don’t miss it.
On a sunny Monday morning in October, we arrived in the village of Damariscotta, Maine just in time for the start of the pumpkin regatta. There was already a huge crowd surrounding the waterfront. Contestants entered their rocky boats armed with paddles for propulsion. And, before you knew it, the race began. Not every boat made the one-lap race without overturning, spilling the boater into the cold water to the cheers of onlookers. After pumping copious amounts of water out of the pumpkin boats, other racers entered the unsteady boats in their quest for glory by reaching the finish line first. After several runs, it was time for motorized pumpkin boats to race around the course.
The races lasted for two hours. Afterward, we strolled through the town, visiting the shops decked out in their Fall and Halloween finest. Artistic, decorative displays of giant pumpkins were everywhere you looked. We left the village of Damariscotta with fond memories that will last a lifetime.
Pumpkinfests abound all over the country in the Fall. The Damariscotta Pumpkinfest is a three-day festival, including a giant pumpkin weigh-off. Pumpkin growers here are a serious bunch. Pumpkinfest concludes with a Giant Pumpkin Boat Regatta.
A Viking-like pumpkin boat plied the waters during the pumpkin regatta. Although low in the water, this ship was quite stable and used several regular-sized pumpkins.
Apparently, the folks in Maine are very artistic. Displays of giant pumpkin carvings by local artists greeted us along the sidewalk in town.
Artist: Moe Auger, Charlie Birchmeier
Grower: Addison Tibbets
Location: Damariscotta Pumpkin Festival, 2023
A giant pumpkin morphs into a giant pumpkin spider. Perhaps that is why no one is sitting at the nearby tables. Can you imagine the size of the cobwebs he creates!?
Peanuts and the gang are on the street. It’s the great pumpkin, Charlie Brown! Giant pumpkins are decorated and on display on a sunny day at the Pumpkinfest.
A giant pumpkin snail carries festive fall characters on its back. Escargot anyone!?
Surely, no Fall or Halloween festival is complete without a giant pumpkin ghoul. While he doesn’t look too scary, I don’t want to run into him on Halloween night!
People who read this article will also like:
Festivals – Find pumpkin weigh-offs and festivals near you.
Giant Pumpkin Carvings – Certainly, they are a work of art.
Pumpkin Records – See pumpkin world records, including the record for how far a pumpkin boat traveled.
