Pumpkinfest and Regatta 2016 draws thousands

GINA HAMILTON
Mon, 10/10/2016 - 5:45pm
One of the paddle pumpkin races at the Regatta, held on Sunday, Oct. 9, in a drenching rain. GINA HAMILTON/Wiscasset Newspaper
Lilly was the big winner – a triple crown winner – for overall best pumpkin in the derby, most creative, and youth division. Courtesy Pumpkinfest and Regatta
Because. This. Is. Newcastle. GINA HAMILTON/Wiscasset Newspaper
Allie poses with the derby pumpkin she and her friend Jade made on Saturday at Pumpkinfest. GINA HAMILTON/Wiscasset Newspaper
Kids at the bounce house on Saturday. GINA HAMILTON/Wiscasset Newspaper
The Queen of the Pumpkins waves to her subjects as she walks down Main Street during the parade on Saturday afternoon. GINA HAMILTON/Wiscasset Newspaper
Midcoast Dance Studio kids perform for the parade goers on Saturday. GINA HAMILTON/Wiscasset Newspaper
What’s a parade without a bagpipe marching band? GINA HAMILTON/Wiscasset Newspaper
Russell Orms of Austin, Texas gets ready to ride his Viking pumpkin ship, donning blond braids and a Viking hat. GINA HAMILTON/Wiscasset Newspaper

    Damariscotta’s 10th annual Pumpkinfest and Regatta got off to a warm start, but by the time of the pumpkin boat races, ended up in a drenching rain.

    Even so, a good time was had by all.

    The winners of the Paddleboat races included Robert Watts, Jaja Martin, David Martin, and Amanda Moeser for individual heats, with Jaja Martin taking the final; and Jaja Martin and Robert Watts in the first relay, and David Watts and Todd Sandstrum in the second relay. The paddleboats were decorated as a VW hippie microbus, Pokemon’s friend Pikachu, the USS Zumwalt, and a silver dancing ball. Another paddleboat was scratched because it was too small for anyone to fit into.

    Unfortunately, the Zumwalt lost its wheelhouse in the first race, and the microbus sank, with its captain swimming back to the dock in water that was warmer than the air temperature at the time.

    The winner of the motorboat race was Christian Rioux, with Edward Pierpont coming in second.

    Earlier Sunday morning, a new triple crown winner emerged from a field of pumpkin derby racers. Lilly won not only the youth division and the overall division, but also the most creative division.

    Saturday, festival goers visited the children’s play area, chatted with the Queen of the Pumpkins, tried all kinds of street food and pumpkin desserts, and ultimately, watched the parade.

    Those so inclined were invited to come in and watch “Tristan und Isolde” on the big screen at the Lincoln Theater on Saturday, the pumpkin boats on Sunday, and a children’s matinee on Monday morning.

     

     

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