Damariscotta PumpkinFest

In Damariscotta, a charming coastal town in Maine known for its fishing and tourism, an innovative program called the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta™ thrives. This initiative is dedicated to educating gardeners of all ages on the intricate techniques required to cultivate Atlantic Giant Pumpkins. Every year, from early October to Columbus Day weekend, the town comes alive with a vibrant festival that celebrates the creativity and hard work of pumpkin growers. Drawing in a crowd of 10,000 to 15,000 visitors annually, the festival is a cherished event for families and pumpkin enthusiasts alike.

• The Pumpkinboat Regatta, features numerous 400-700 pound, hollowed-out pumpkins with motors attached or paddled, piloted by volunteer captains, racing one another in the Damariscotta Harbor. This event is live-fed into the local theater.

• A downtown display of 65+ volunteer-carved and decorated giant pumpkins lining Main Street in Damariscotta & Newcastle.

• The Pumpkin Derby, with competitions for kids and adults.

• The popular Pumpkin Dessert Contest and Pumpkin Pie Eating Contests.

• The infamous 180′ Pumpkin Drop of a massive squash lifted up by crane and let go into a large inflatable pool filled with beach balls.

• The Giant Pumpkin Parade, featuring the winning pumpkin (the largest fruit in the State of Maine) from the weigh-off

• The Pumpkin Catapult hurls 20-lb pumpkins hundreds of feet in the air, while the Giant Slingshots let kids of all ages aim small jack-be-little pumpkins hundreds of yards to hit targets.

Activity Highlights for 2024 

Sat. Oct 5th - Volunteer Pumpkin Weigh-off

Sun. Oct 6th - Great Pumpkin Commonwealth Weigh-off at 10:00am

Thu. Oct 10th - Pumplin Deployment after 3:45pm

Fri. Oct 11th - Pumpkin Artists at Work / Pumpkinboat Building

Sat. Oct 12th - Pumpkin Parade begins around 2:00pm
Sun. Oct 13th - Pumpkin Derby 2:00pm
Mon. Oct 14th - Pumpkinboat Regatta at 9am