August News from Damariscotta Pumpkinfest and Regatta

Issue #5 August 2011

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...

Calling All Pumpkins...

Please email Bill Clark as soon as you can at: stunner906@roadrunner.com with an estimate of the size and number of your crop, so that we might have an idea of what to expect at the weigh-off and for decorative pumpkins downtown ! And THANK YOU ALL for growing your pumpkins this summer...there wouldn't be a Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta without our volunteer growers !!

The Prizes...

VOLUNTEER-GROWERS' WEIGH-OFF FOR PRIZES & GIFT CERTIFICATES - SATURDAY OCT. 1:

In addition to the officially sanctioned GPC weigh-off, a separate "Damariscotta Pumpkinfest Volunteer Growers' Weigh-Off" will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2011. Pumpkin drop-off will be between the hours of 7AM and 10AM on Saturday, October 1, with the Volunteer-Growers' Weigh-Off beginning promptly at 10AM that day.

This special Volunteer-Growers' weigh-off is open to all growers who picked up free "Pumpkinfest Plantlets" at Pinkham's Plantation in the spring and wish to weigh their grown pumpkins. Prizes and gift certificates will be awarded on a "pick your prize" basis while prizes last. Volunteer growers are welcome to participate in the sanctioned GPC Weigh-Off instead of the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest Volunteer Growers Weigh-Off if they so choose, but they cannot participate in both weigh-offs.

PLEASE BRING YOUR PUMPKIN TO THE WEIGH-OFF SITTING ON A PALLET TO EXPEDITE WEIGHING AND MOVING THE GIANTS !

It would be very much appreciated if pumpkinfest's volunteer growers would "volunteer" ALL of their pumpkins (whether boat sized or not) for use as downtown display pumpkins, pumpkin catapult, drop and chunking ammunition, children's activities, or boat building at the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta... a plaque will be hung from each of the downtown display pumpkins with your name noted as the pumpkin's grower, as well as its weight, the financial sponsor's name and the artist....a "tour guide" of pumpkin locales will be found on the web site after the pumpkins are deployed on Thursday night, October 6, and you will be able to tour downtown during Columbus Day weekend to find your pumpkin !!

OFFICIAL GPC WEIGH-OFF - SUNDAY, OCT. 2:

Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta will host the Third Annual Damariscotta Pumpkinfest Weigh-Off on Sunday, October 2, 2011, at Pinkham's Plantation, 431 Biscay Road, Damariscotta, Maine. This weigh-off is officially sanctioned by the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth (GPC) http://www.greatpumpkincommonwealth.com. Master of Ceremonies for the official GPC Weigh-Off will be WGME 13 Chief Meteorologist and Giant Pumpkin Grower, Charlie Lopresti.

The GPC Weigh-Off is open to resident and non-resident growers in classes for both adult and children (growers between 8 and 16 years). Pumpkin drop-off will be between the hours of 7AM and 10AM on Sunday, October 2, with the GPC Weigh-Off beginning promptly at 10AM.

It is required that the top five pumpkins in all categories at both of the weigh-offs remain at the weigh-off site for display during Damariscotta Pumpkinfest from October 2 through 9. Pumpkin pick-up will be on Sunday, October 9 between the hours of 3PM and 4PM or later during that week.

The Food...

PUMPKIN DESSERT CONTEST REGISTRATION NOW OPEN:

Interested participants please contact event supervisor Gail Berry at 563-1774 (nailsbygail@hotmail.com) or go to www.damariscottapumpkinfest.com to download a registration form.

Prizes will include $150 for first prize, $100 for second and $50 for third. All types of pumpkin desserts -- pies, cakes, cookies, muffins, shortbreads, puddings, crisps, clafoutis, cobblers, tarts, candies, mousse, souffles, ice creams, tortes, trifles, creme caramels, flans, semifreddos, crepes, strudels, are eligible but they must include fresh, frozen, or canned pumpkin.

PUMPKIN DELIGHTS AND OTHER "STREET FOOD":

During the 2011 Pumpkinfest & Regatta, the streets of Damariscotta will be filled with the smells of a variety of delicious offerings from downtown restaurants, as well as vendors and service clubs. Delectable delights will be on sale at locations both in town and at the remote event locations, all of which will be noted on the new "2011-Menu Map". This map will be available on our web site, as well as in hard copy, FREE at sponsor's businesses. Food will include pumpkin treats such as whoopee pies, bisque and muffins, as well as traditional fare such as burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and Italian sausage will be offered. Local delights including lobster rolls and seafood chowder, and seasonal favorites like such as caramel apples and soft pretzels will also be available. With such a wide array of options, there promises to be something for everyone!

The Logistics...

MAINE EASTERN RAILROAD EXCURSION TRAIN BETWEEN BRUNSWICK & ROCKLAND TO STOP AT NEWCASTLE/DAMARISCOTTA DURING PUMPKINFEST:

Check out: http://www.maineeasternrailroad.com/ and plan on taking the kids on a train ride to or from Damariscotta for Pumpkinfest ! The train will stop at the old Newcastle train station (on Academy Hill between Lincoln Academy and the Newcastle Publick House) where a shuttle van will be waiting to take you downtown.

FREE SHUTTLE VANS AVAILABLE FROM LINCOLN ACADEMY (L.A.) PARKING LOT TO DOWNTOWN EVENTS:

The Lincoln County News will publish a 12 page supplement in September which will include articles written by our volunteers regarding events and pumpkin experiences, as well as a very helpful map of events/L.A. parking lot and shuttle van pick-up points/the new food court & infozone/Maine Eastern Railroad Train Station/ etc. . We hope you will look for the supplement and retain it for use during the festival, October 1-10, 2011 ...

Calling All Pumpkinheads...

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. For available volunteer opportunity please contact jyork@tidewater.net.

How Does Your Pumpkin Grow?

More Fresh Dirt according to our expert grower Bill Clark...

Late Season Protection:
- Cold weather can sometimes come early in the northeast. Your pumpkin can continue to grow right up to the day you cut it free from the vine, only at a much slower rate. These extra few pounds can make a difference when it comes time to weigh your fruit. So extra steps need to be taken to protect your fruit and plant as cooler weather sets in.
Something that can be done to keep your fruit growing is to cover your fruit with a blanket or two when the temperatures at night dip into the 40's. The blanket will help keep the heat of the day in your fruit for a longer period at night thereby encouraging continued growth. Another step that can be taken to prolong your season is to protect the plant when the threat of frost looms later in the season. Pumpkin plants have no tolerance for frost and even a slight frost can leave you waking up to leaves that are black and wilted, ending your season. There are a couple things you can do to protect the plant when the temperature dips down to levels where frost is possible. One thing that can be done, although somewhat labor intensive is to erect a cover over as much of the plant as possible, keeping the heat of the day inside the enclosure and holding the frost at bay. This entails what amounts to a full-size greenhouse or a big cold frame, requiring quite a bit of material and added cost to your effort. Some growers will even use different types of heaters inside the enclosure to keep the temperature up. Another, somewhat easier way to protect your plant from frost is to run sprinklers on a timer over the plant at intervals throughout the night. The water acts to warm the plant surface and prevent frost from forming. In either case, there is added effort involved and it is up to the individual grower as to what extent one will go to keep the plant growing late in the season.

Estimating Weight:
Thanks to years of research and effort by a group of growers, there are two methods a grower can use to estimate the weight of an Atlantic Giant pumpkin as it grows through the season. Growers use these weight estimates to gauge progress and interpret what the plant may need or is lacking as weights increase or slack off.
- The first method that can be used is by simply measuring your fruit at mid girth parallel to the ground and bouncing that measurement off a circumference chart
(See Table 2 Below). This method can give a rough idea of weigh, but can be skewed due to the wall thickness of a fruit or odd shape.
- The most accurate and widely used method is known as the Over-The-Top method or OTT. This method is done by adding up 3 measurements; circumference, side-to-side measurement and end-to-end measurement. For circumference, use the technique described above. The side-to-side measurement is made by holding one end of the tape on the ground vertically below the side of the fruit and stretching it up to the side, over the top of the fruit and down to the ground vertically below the other side. The end-to-end measurement is the same as the side-to-side only it is measured from the ground vertically up the stem end, along the surface over the top of the fruit and down to the ground vertically below the blossom end. Make sure you run the tape vertically down to the ground from the furthest extending point, not along the surface under the fruit for both the side-to-side and the end-to-end measurements. Add these three measurements together and bounce the total off the OTT chart
(See Table 1 Below).

weightchart

You can Download the latest Weight Estimation Tables at:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Attachments/2005WeightTables.pdf

The Great Pumpkins' Favorite Picks...

PUMPKINBOAT CONSTRUCTION -- FREE TUTORIAL OFFERED AT MAINE MARITIME MUSEUM ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 6:00-7:30 P.M.

Workshop: How To Build a Pumpkin Boat
Wednesday, September 28, 2011

from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Maine Maritime Museum Boatshop
253 Washington St.

Bath, ME
FREE

Learn how to turn a giant pumpkin into a boat! Bill Clark, master pumpkin boat builder, and Buzz Pinkham of Pinkham's Plantation in Damariscotta, will lead this workshop and discuss the history of giant pumpkin growing in Maine. Both men are master giant pumpkin growers, and were instrumental in launching the annual Damariscotta Pumpkinboat Regatta, which will be held this year on Sunday, October 9 in Damariscotta Harbor. This free workshop is open to the public. Please call or email Kurt Spiridakis to register, at 207-443-1316 or boatshop@maritime.org

Kurt Spiridakis
Boatshop Manager
Maine Maritime Museum

http://www.bathmaine.com

243 Washington St, Bath, ME 04530
207-443-1316 ext. 334

REGATTA TEAMS: BOAT BUILDING IS FUN ! COME BY PINKHAMS PLANTATION AND CREATE YOUR OWN WATERCRAFT -

Remember that no one can build your team's boat better than you can. Plan to participate in creation of your team's watercraft ! The giants will await your team's expertise from Thursday, October 6 on. Remember it is always best to have a freshly built boat in the water, so you don't want to start too early. Of course, leave enough time so your teammates can make it seaworthy !! It's fun, and there will be plenty of experienced advisors to assist your team in your creation !

Your team also might want to select your specific pumpkin before it is seeded, in order to obtain the right hull-shape. In that case, drop by Pinkham's Plantation on Wednesday and Thursday to choose your pumpkin and help seed your boat.

boatshop@maritimeme.org

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!

OFFICIAL DAMARISCOTTA PUMPKINFEST CAPS/PINS/PRINTS:
If you still don't have your official 2011 Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta T-shirt, ball cap or pin, be stop by Supplies Unlimited, Pinkham's Plantation on Biscay Road in damariscotta or Romeo's Pizza http://www.romeospizza.biz, and get stocked up!! Remember that the black ball caps and 2011 Tee's cost $15.00, the commemorative pins are $5.00....all proceeds are used to produce Pumpkinfest, and the items are really cool !!!

Commemorative Caps, T-shirts & Pins are now available for purchase, as well as our NEW 2011 Tee's... For more information on how to purchase email info@damariscottapumpkinfest.com

More Pumpkin Connections...

Visit Our Website

Charter Sponsors...

And Last But Certanily Not Least...

A Pumpkinboat-Load of Thanks To Our Generous Sponsors....

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

sponsorlogo