Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta

09/03/2026

Well, well, well… Hallmark has discovered the magic of a Pumpkin Regatta! 🛶💕

Our DMs have been buzzing and yes we see it too! Hallmark Channel's new movie Pumpkin Regatta Romance is hitting screens and we have to say, we are not surprised one bit. 😄

For the record the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest Regatta has indeed been the scene of a real life engagement. 💍 Romance on the river is nothing new around here.

Now did Hallmark consult us this season? No. No they did not. 😂

But are we still going to tune in with our popcorn and cheer them on? Absolutely. 🍿🧡

Catch Pumpkin Regatta Romance on Hallmark Channel and then come see the REAL thing right here in Damariscotta on Sunday, October 11th at Noon! We promise the giant pumpkin boats are just as romantic. 🎃🛶

🔗 www.hallmarkchannel.com/pumpkin-regatta-romance

09/01/2026

GROWER SPOTLIGHT Leon Busby, Walpole Maine

As we count down to Pumpkinfest's 19th year, we are kicking off our grower spotlight series with someone who truly represents what this community is all about. Meet Leon Busby from Bristol, Maine. 🧡
And Leon doesn't grow alone his son Mason is right there in the patch alongside him.

How many years have you been growing giant pumpkins?
Four years and counting! 💪

What originally brought you into the sport?
"After my father passed away from cancer, we wanted to do something every year to remember him. So we started growing giants."

Leon, thank you for sharing that with us. There is no better way to honor someone you love than by doing something that brings joy, community, and a whole lot of heart. We are so glad you and Mason found your way to the patch. 🙏🧡

What is your favorite Pumpkinfest memory?
"When Edwin grew his big one. It made me realize that you can grow a monster in Maine."

And that right there is the magic of this event. 🎃

What advice would you give a new grower?
"Join your local pumpkin clubs and ask as many questions as you can. 99% of growers will always answer questions and are willing to help any way they can. Growing them can be so much fun."
Thank you Leon and Mason we cannot wait to see what you two bring to the scale this October! 🏆⚖️

08/30/2026

WE ARE GETTING CLOSE — Weigh-Off Season is Almost Here!

The Volunteer Growers' Weigh-Off and the GPC Pro Weigh-Off are right around the corner and the excitement is building! 🙌 But before we get there, let's make sure we protect everything you have worked so hard for this season. 🌱

🦌 Keep a close eye on your four-legged neighbors.

With the severe drought we have had this summer and everything being so dry, that big beautiful orange pumpkin in your patch is looking even more appetizing than usual to deer and other wildlife. Don't let all that hard work become somebody's dinner!

If you haven't already put up a fence around your patch now is the time. Don't wait on this one.

Consider covering your pumpkin with a light blanket.

Beyond protecting from animals, a light blanket cover helps slow down the curing process from direct sun exposure and can significantly reduce the risk of splitting as your pumpkin finishes out the season. A little protection now goes a long way come Weigh-Off day! 🏆

We are so close growers — protect your investment and let's get those pumpkins to the scale! ⚖️🎃

📅 Volunteer Weigh-Off — Saturday, October 3 at 7:00 AM
📅 GPC Weigh-Off — Sunday, October 4 at 7:00 AM

08/27/2026

AS WE COUNT DOWN TO PUMPKINFEST 2026 — A Look Back at the Growers Who Made It Special! 🧡

Over the years, Damariscotta Pumpkinfest has been home to some truly incredible growers. People who pour their heart, time, and passion into growing some of the most impressive Atlantic Giants you have ever seen and we think their stories deserve to be told.

Over the next several weeks, we will be sharing posts featuring some of our amazing growers past and present and in their own words, what Pumpkinfest has meant to them and some of the unforgettable moments from their patches. Stay tuned. You are not going to want to miss these.

As we get closer to festival weekend, keep an eye on our page there is a lot of exciting event information and updates headed your way!

And as always, please remember Pumpkinfest is a registered nonprofit and every single person who makes this event happen is a volunteer. Every role, every shift, every behind the scenes moment is fueled purely by love for this community. That also means that the generosity of our sponsors is what makes it possible to keep Pumpkinfest free and open to everyone. If you are a local business or know one who believes in what we do, we would love to have you involved.

🔗 www.mainepumpkinfest.com/sponsorship

08/22/2026

🎃⏳ THE COUNTDOWN HAS STARTED!⏳🎃

It may still be August, but around here we’re already thinking OCTOBER!

The 2026 Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta is coming October 9–12, and this year’s schedule is packed with everything that makes Pumpkinfest… well, Pumpkinfest.

🎃 Giant pumpkins taking over Main Street
🎨 Artists bringing them to life
🏁 The Pumpkin Derby
🥧 Pie eating and dessert contests
🚤 The one-and-only Pumpkin Regatta
🏃 Tour de Gourd 5K
💥 Pumpkin Drop
🎶 Buskers, food, family activities and so much more

And before the main festival even begins, our giant pumpkins take center stage at the Pumpkin Weigh-Offs October 3–4, followed by **Pumpkin Deployment on October 8.

This festival doesn't happen overnight. Behind the scenes, our volunteers, growers, artists, sponsors, local businesses and community partners are already hard at work getting ready to welcome everyone back to Damariscotta.

So start making your plans. Invite your friends. Bring the family.

Because before we know it, the giants will be rolling into town and Main Street will be Pumpkinfest again. 🎃🧡

📅 October 9–12, 2026

Check out the schedule below and visit our website for specific event times, details and updates.

The countdown is ON. Who's ready for Pumpkinfest 2026?! 🎃🙌

08/08/2026

🎃 CALLING ALL PERFORMERS Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta 2026

Are you a musician, performer, or entertainer looking for one of the most memorable stages in New England?

The Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta recently featured in the New York Times is seeking talented Buskers for this year's festival, October 9-12, 2026 on Indigenous Peoples' Day weekend.

Now in its 19th year, Pumpkinfest draws 60,000 visitors to the stunning midcoast Maine waterfront families, art lovers, and visitors from across the country who come for giant pumpkin boat regattas, spectacular carved pumpkin displays, parades, and the pure magic of small town Maine in autumn. It is 100% free to the public and 100% volunteer run.

Last year's Buskers lineup included bands and professional performers who played to enthusiastic crowds against one of the most unique backdrops imaginable.

Performers select an agreed timeslot across the weekend. This is a volunteer opportunity — no pay, but extraordinary exposure and an audience that is fully present and genuinely joyful.

If you're interested, reach out today:
📧 [email protected]
📱 Text: 207-632-4518

Don't miss your chance to be part of something truly special. 🍂

08/08/2026

🏃 TOUR DE GOURD 5K — Registration is OPEN! 🎃

That's right the Tour de Gourd is BACK for its second year and we want YOU there! 🙌

Last year's event was a blast and incredibly well attended and this year we are looking to make it even bigger and better. If you ran it last year, you already know. If you missed it, this is your year! 🧡

📅 Monday, October 12, 2026
⏰ 8:00 AM
📍 Downtown Damariscotta, ME

What better way to kick off the final day of Pumpkinfest than a morning 5K through one of Maine's most beautiful towns surrounded by giant pumpkins? We can't think of one. 🍂

👟 To every run club member out there we need your help! Like this post, share it, text a friend, tag your running crew below. Let's fill those registration spots and make Year 2 the biggest Tour de Gourd yet!

⚠️ Don't wait register before it's too late!

🔗 www.mainepumpkinfest.com/tour-de-gourde-5k

2nd Annual Tour de Gourd: 5k Run & 1-Mile WalkMonday, October 12 at 8:00 AMLooking for a way to experience the pumpkins like never before? This 5k run puts Main Street center stage as participants race through Newcastle and Damariscotta's historic buildings and gigantic gourds. Anyone can enter the....

08/02/2026

🌱 PUMPKIN CHECK-IN TIME — Featuring the Damariscotta Town Patch! 🎃

They're at it again! 🙌

As many of you know, the giant pumpkin displayed at Town Hall last year was grown right there on site and this season they are doing it all over again. 🎃

The Damariscotta town team already has a full plate keeping our community running day in and day out, and yet here they are back in the patch and growing another giant. The level of heart and community collaboration that goes into Pumpkinfest is truly something special, and this crew is a perfect example of that. 🧡

📸 Check out how things are looking at the Damariscotta town patch this week!

We cannot wait to watch this one grow and see what they bring to the Weigh-Off in October. The scale is waiting! ⚖️🎃

Keep up the great work team you are amazing! 🙌

07/14/2026

🚨 ATTENTION VOLUNTEER GROWERS Storm Advisory! 🌩️

Big storms are moving through Maine tonight and tomorrow. Here are some tips from our best growers to help you protect your plants and get through it! 👇

🫧 Wrap your fruit with bubble wrap to protect against incoming hail

🪵 Secure your main vine using Chinese chopsticks, bamboo sticks, or the rounded end of a coat hanger press them into the soil to hold the vine down so it doesn't blow and snap

🚗 Block the crosswinds by positioning a vehicle alongside your patch to cut off wind coming through

⛺ Cover your crop with a temporary structure tapered at one end to shield against hail. Something light weight a bedsheets. Stay away from a tarp they pool wanter an you risk collapsing onto the plant.

🛡️ Monitor your tarps and bed sheets throughout the storm if heavy hail hits, check regularly and adjust as needed

At the end of the day, we are rooting for every single one of your seedlings to come through strong. 🌱🧡

Our page is monitored by several experienced pro growers. If you need help or advice post your photos and comments right here. We are ALL here to help you grow big. 💪🎃

Stay safe out there everyone!

07/12/2026

🎃 WEEKEND UPDATE — Shining a Light on a True Community Champion! 🧡

If you're from Mid-Coast Maine, you already know the name you've seen the trucks. Colby & Gale has been a major supporter of Pumpkinfest for years, and we couldn't be more grateful for everything they do. 🙌

But here's something our out-of-town friends may not know. Colby & Gale maintains a growing plot dedicated entirely to local food pantries. The produce they grow feeds families right here in our community and that kind of commitment goes far beyond any pumpkin. Their heart for this community is bigger than anything we'll ever put on a scale. 🌱

And speaking of growing… did you know they are also growing around 12 giant pumpkin seedlings this season?! Yep Colby & Gale is IN IT. 🎃👀

📸 Check out these amazing photos!

To every single member of the staff and team out there tending the crops — for the community and for the giant pumpkins — you are all absolutely amazing. Thank you for your ongoing support of Pumpkinfest and for everything you give to this community year after year. We are so grateful. 🧡