The Insider Guide To Damariscotta Pumpkinfest

One of the most loved, and most unique, events in New England is the Pumpkinfest in Damariscotta, Maine.

The event is a celebration of America's favorite, and most versatile, gourd.  Right?  Thing of all the uses for the pumpkin - pie, soup, jack-o-lanterns, projectile (for punkin' chunkin'), and more.  Not to mention that it is the unofficial symbol of fall.

This year's Pumpkinfest runs from Friday, October 7th through Sunday, October 9th and is centered in downtown Damariscotta.

Highlights of the 2022 festival include the parade, the regatta, and the chance to see the pumpkin artists at work.

The pumpkins will be put out (deployed) on Thursday afternoon and you will have the chance to watch the pumpkin artists on Friday.

The parade starts at 2 PM on Saturday.

The extremely popular pumpkin regatta starts at noon on Sunday.

One of the biggest draws of the festival are the massive pumpkins placed around the area.  About the pumpkins, the website says, in part:

Each year, local Maine artists more than meet the challenge of decorating dozens of “Atlantic Giant” pumpkins that are displayed in downtown Damariscotta & Newcastle during Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta™.  Each pumpkin comes with a story about our tight-knit community - the grower who brought it to us, the business that helped sponsor the festival, and the artist who brings it to creative life. This information can be found on each pumpkin’s display card. We also provide all this information in a printable Pumpkin Guide that will be available online and in printed form at local stores and at the Water St. information table on October 9.

Because of how popular the pumpkinfest events are, there will be offsite parking and shuttles running between those lots and the events.

You can get all the details about the event through the event website.  Tap HERE for all the details