Issue #2                                                                   May 2011

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Fresh From the Patch...

In This Issue
The Latest Dirt...
Calling All PumpkinHeads...
How Does Your Pumpkin Grow?
The Great Pumpkins' Favorite Picks...
The Pumpkin Store
The Latest Dirt...
Bristol Artist Doug Comstock's Design Selected for 2011 Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta T-shirt

 2011 Tdesign

The T-shirt design submitted by Bristol artist Douglas Comstock will grace the back of the 2011 Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta's T-shirt.  Doug's design was one of sixteen submitted by Maine artists. When notified of his design's selection, Doug graciously noted, "I am honored that the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest has selected my design for the 2011 T-shirt."

 

The first chance to buy the new Pumpkinfest T-shirt will be on May 22, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Pumpkinfest Plantlet Give-Away.  The Give-Away will be held at Pinkham's Plantation, 431 Biscay Road, Damariscotta, Maine. 

Click Here to 'Get to Know' our 2011 Pumpkinfest Local Artist, Doug Comstock 

 

Become a Member of the Pumpkin-Posse!

For more information on how to join in the fun and make family memories that will last a lifetime click here.

 

 A Sneak Preview of the 2011 Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta, October 1st -11th

A fun-packed week of events include the a pumpkin paddle boat relay and pumpkin motor boat regatta, the officially-sanctioned GPC giant pumpkin weigh-off, pumpkin catapulting, pumpkin hurling by a USA-record holder,  {The Big 10-Inch from Pennsylvania ( http://www.big10inch.org/ ) and the scrappy New Hampshire challengers, The American Chunkers ( http://americanchunker.blogspot.com/ } Photos, videos, and other details available at http://damariscottapumpkinfest.com.

a giant pumpkin parade, first annual pumpkin derby, two dozen giant 600-pound decorated pumpkins lining Damariscotta's main street, children's activities, a pumpkin dessert contest, pie eating competition, a giant pumpkin drop (in 2010, two double-decked cars were the target from 200 feet!) and more.  

 

Start Planning for the YMCA Fun Run Event...

This year's "fun run" will be more of an "adventure run" around the trails behind the YMCA, with obstacles, challenges, costumes, carried pumpkins, ropes over mud, etc. .... stay tuned at www.damariscottapumpkinfest.com  for new developments !! 

Calling All Pumpkin Heads...

Volunteering for Pumpkinfest is not only tons of fun, but it feels great to get involved in the wonderful community in which we  live.  There are many levels of participation, that cover a variety of different interests.  Join us to find your niche and become a member of the  Pumpkinfest family.  Volunteer Opportunities Available:

 

Regatta Organizer/Chairperson                      Sunday, October 9th

 

This Pumpkin Crew needs a Skipper and in our Coastal Community we just know our perfect Mate is out there!  Interested in jumping on board the most popular event of the festival?  Contact Kathy  at [email protected] 

 

Weigh-Off Chairperson                           Sat/Sun October 1st & 2nd

It's a big Job deciding who wins all that money...but somebody's gotta do it, so it might as well be you!  Just think of all the Pumpkin Power you'd have!

 

Seed collection/boat building                                  October 4th -8th

For more information about this volunteer position, please email Bill Clark at [email protected]

How Does Your Pumpkin Grow?

Ladies and Gentlemen... Start your Plantlets!!!

 

Here's the Dirt on how to make your plant flourish during the month of June according to our expert grower Bill Clark...plantlets

 

- Pumpkin plants do not like extreme heat and will not tolerate the cold. Therefore you need to do everything you can to keep the plant happy. At night, place a bucket or a box over your plant and cover with a blanket to retain as much of the day's warmth as possible. Uncover in the morning when the temperature is above 45.
- Water your seedling as needed to keep the soil moist but not wet. Luke warm water is better than cold for watering.
- Your plant should start to vine in about 2-3 weeks, depending on the temperature and soil moisture. If your plant decides it wants to vine in the wrong direction, you can turn it in the right direction over the course of a couple weeks using a few stakes and moving the vine a little bit each day during the heat of the day, starting when the vine is about 12' to 18' long. At around 5 weeks old, your plant vine will grow up to 1 foot a day so be prepared to stay on top of it from this point on.

The Great Pumpkins' Favortie Picks...
Plantlet Give-Away                    Sunday May 22, 2011

If you want to grow a giant pumpkin this year, than attending this event is a must!  Not to mention the added benefits of getting free Poo (don't forget your

Togus

5 gallon bucket), meeting a very famous Cat (does this guy look familiar?) being one of the first to purchase the NEW 2011 Festival Tee, indulging in one of Ms. Ciara Pinkham's legendary 'chocolate pumpkin chip cookies", luscious mint balls, fragrant pumpkin bread (mouth watering yet?) attending this event will even help fight hunger (see Farmer's Market section below)....And let us NOT forget the rare opportunity to hob knob with the best of the best... our Pumpkin Expert Panel !

Pinkham's Plantation, 431 Biscay Road, 8:00-3:00pm

Click Here for More Information

 

The Damariscotta Farmers' Market partners with Pumpkinfest this year to "Squash Hunger"

During the giant pumpkin seedling giveaway at Pinkham's Plantation on May 22, people can also pick up a free Butternut Squash seedling courtesy of the Damariscotta Farmers' Market. At the Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off on October 2nd, the Damariscotta Farmers' Market will be collecting squash at Pinkham's and donating them to a local food pantry.   
 
Find local, fresh produce, meat, cheeses, baked goods, fiber and more at he Damariscotta Farmers' market Fridays at the DRA on Belvedere Rd 9 am to noon and Mondays at Rising Tide on Main St 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday Market opens June 13th).

The Pumpkin Store...
Purchasing merchandise from our Pumpkinfest collection is an excellent way to help promote and support the Event and  Maine Artists alike.  Not to mention the added benefit of sporting really cool gear!  

 hatsnpins
Commemorative Caps, T-shirts & Pins will be available for Purchase at The Plantlet Giveaway on May 22nd, as well as our NEW 2011 Tee's...be one of the first in town to sport the new design fresh off the press!  But you'd better arrive early because there is only a limited supply available at this time.

Fun Pumpkin Trivia...
  1.  How does one play Water Polo Pumpkinfest Style?
  2. What was the earth shaking, eye popping total purse at the 2010 weigh-off?

Email your answers to [email protected] .  The correct answer wins a commemorative pumpkinfest pin. Winning answers will be posted in the next issue.

More Pumpkin Connections...

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Charter Sponsors...

And Last But Certanily Not Least...

A Pumpkin Boat-Load of Thanks to our Generous Sponsors....

We couldn't do it without you!!!!

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