Issue #6                                                    September 2011

PumpkinPatchLogo

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...

 

PUMPKIN STATS NEEDED:

Please email Bill Clark as soon as you can at: [email protected]  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 Regatta...

 

OUTBOARD MOTORS NEEDED FOR REGATTA, PLEASE !

we are in desperate need of a half dozen or more outboard motors (2.5-10.0 HP) to be used on Sunday, October 9 for the Pumpkinboat Regatta ...not to worry, they have only had two of the loaners get 'wet', and they were all cleaned out to perfection before they were returned ! Pumpkinfest will recognize the loan as in In-Kind donation and ensure motors are returned in the condition they were received.  There can't be a motorized regatta division without motors, so please contact Ken Smith at [email protected]  if you can loan us a motor !

 

OTHER REGATTA ITEMS NEEDED:

Crowd Control equipment (ropes and posts, etc)

PA System for the MC

Kayak-style paddles 10-12

Life Jackets 10-12

 

The Derby...

 

Anticipation is growing rapidly for the latest and greatest addition to the Pumpkinfests' event line-up!  If you want to be a part of the excitement but aren't quite sure how to get in the race, here's your chance!  For everything you need to know about how to construct your Parallel Axle Derby Racer click here.

 

PUMPKIN-PIT POSSE NEEDED:

'Obsessive-compulsive nit-pickers' sought to help harvest and sort Giant Atlantic Pumpkin seeds on Wednesday and Thursday, October 5-6, 2011.... Join the volunteer pumpkin posse and contribute to furthering horticultural science !! Careful volunteers needed to collect seeds and sort them by pumpkin for drying, as part of the genetic & educational mission of Pumpkinfest ... The dried seeds are returned to the growers for their use in 2012, but they also may become the source of next May's plantlets !! Please contact: Bill Clark at [email protected]  to join this 3-5 person exclusive team .... bring your own lab coat and goggles !!

 

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.  

Press Release:  2011 Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta Offers $10,000 Weigh-Off Purse 

 

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 with the same pumpkin.

 

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 tag 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:    $10,000 TOTAL PURSE!!

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 $10,000 TOTAL PURSE 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:

The pumpkin dessert contest is open for entrants, so contact Gail Berry, event supervisor, at 563-1774 or [email protected] for a registration form... The registration form will also be found on our web site (www.damariscottapumpkinfest.com ) shortly ! 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.

 

Press Release:  Calling All Chefs and Bakers To Damariscotta Pumpkinfest Pumpkin Dessert Contest on October 8

 

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 and in the centerfold of the Lincoln County News' 12 page 'Pumpkinfest Special' Supplement. 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 PARKING LOTS TO DOWNTOWN EVENTS:

We are all are flat-out in preparation for this year's fantastic festival. The Lincoln County News'  "Pumpkin Special" supplement will be published on September 29 which will include articles written by our volunteers regarding events and pumpkin experiences, as well as a very helpful map showing locations of food/events/parking lots and shuttle van pick-up points/etc. ...We hope you will look for the supplement and retain it for use during the festival, October 1-10, 2011 ...

 

How about volunteering for a 2 hour shift (or more) during Saturday/Sunday October 8-9  driving a van from Lincoln Academy to downtown, with stops on Belvedere Road for the chunk-off/catapult events ? Meet and greet our visitors who choose to park-N-ride during pumpkinfest ? Also shuttle stops will be made to collect visitors from the Maine Eastern Railroad's excursion train, the "Damariscotta Pumpkinfest Express", which will be stopping in Newcastle !  Gf you have a couple of hours to spare, please contact Greg Latimer at 380-9912 or [email protected] to volunteer ...

  

The Giving Back...

 

PUMPKIN PLEDGES DUE FRIDAY,  OCTOBER 7 BEFORE 4:30 p.m.

Please remit your pumpkin pledges to Robert Clifford at Colby & Gale's office on Biscay Road (P.O. Box 208 or 154 Biscay Road, Damariscotta, ME 04543-0208) before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 7, to be eligible for the grower's drawings which will be held the following monday morning during the pumpkin drop.  Half of the pledges are retained by pumpkinfest for the 2012 events, and half will be sent to the non-profit you designate...

 

HEADS-UP, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS !!:

If you are associated with a local non-profit and would like to hand out literature to the thousands of Damariscotta Pumpkinfest visitors during Columbus Day weekend, please contact our InfoZone committee chairman, Jeanne Davis of the Skidompha Library at: [email protected] 207-563-1940.  Two InfoZone areas will be available this year...

 

Also keep in mind the pumpkin pledge sheets which were distributed with the plantlets in May... Volunteer growers can designate a local non-profit to receive half of the pledges they generate based on the weight of their pumpkin (or a flat donation) to go to YOUR non-profit ! In 2009 and 2010, nearly $3,000 was donated each year to grower-designated non-profits from this program, and 2011 promises even more pledge revenues !! Please consider advising your membership of this opportunity to have fun supporting your member-grower, while accruing donations to your own non-profit...

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 opportunities please contact [email protected].

 

How Does Your Pumpkin Grow?

The Really Big Question for Your Really Big Pumpkin?

 

HOW TO MOVE YOUR PUMPKIN:

Again, please bring your pumpkin to the weigh-off sitting on a pallet to expedite weighing, as well as minimize damage to the fruit...

 

When cutting a fruit from the vine, cut the vine a foot or two either
side of the pumpkin stem. Do not cut the stem itself. This will
maintain the integrity of the fruit, and it will last longer when you
display your big pumpkin.


If the fruit measures more than 100" in circumference, you will need
four people to lift it onto a pallet, or into the back of a vehicle.
A pumpkin weighing 1000 pounds or more, will require 10 to 13 people
to lift it safely as well as some special equipment.


The easiest way to move a 100 to 200 pound fruit is to utilize a
large, plastic tarp, like the kind used to cover a wood pile. It
should be folded four times, and used as a lifting tarp. Small rubber
balls or even tennis balls can be tied into the corners of the quad-
folded tarp to serve as handles.

When harvesting and lifting a fruit with any tarp, simply roll the
fruit slowly and carefully to one side, taking care not to damage the
stem. Stuff the tarp under the fruit as far as possible; then roll
the fruit to the other side, pulling the tarp through and spreading it
flat. Next, with one or more people on each corner (depending on the
pumpkin's weight), slowly and carefully lift the fruit either onto a
pallet for loading with a tractor or forklift, or into the back of a
vehicle. Several online businesses sell lifting tarps made
specifically for lifting big pumpkins. These tarps are made of
reinforced material and have hand holes around the edges for lifting.

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 xt 334 or [email protected]


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 Tuesday or Wednesday to choose your pumpkin and help seed your boat.

   
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 T-SHIRTS/CAPS/PINS:
 
If you still don't have your official 2011 Damariscotta Pumpkinfest &   Regatta             T-shirt, ball cap or pin, be sure to stop by Supplies Unlimited,  Pinkham's Plantation, Rising Tide Community Market, Hannaford's Supermarket or  Romeo's Pizza  http://www.romeospizza.biz in Damariscotta and get stocked up!! Remember that the black ball caps and 2011 Tee's cost $15.00 and the commemorative pins are $5.00.  All proceeds are used to produce Pumpkinfest, and the items are really cool !!!

 

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


 

More Pumpkin Connections...

Find us on Facebook                   Visit Our Website                Join Our Mailing List

Charter Sponsors...

THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR GROWING PUMPKINS FOR THE DAMARISCOTTA PUMPKINFEST & REGATTA-2011 ! WE ARE SINCERELY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR EFFORTS, AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AND YOUR FRUIT AT EITHER THE VOLUNTEER GROWERS' WEIGH-OFF ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, OR THE OFFICIALLY SANCTIONED GPC WEIGH-OFF WITH ITS $10,000 PURSE ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2.

 

 

And Last But Certainly Not Least...

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

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

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