Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta

We've Moved!

2010-04-23T06:43:00.000-07:00

We've moved our blog!

Please go to...

www.damariscottapumpkinfest.com/news

...for our latest updates.

Hope to see you in October!

Hot off the Press!

2010-04-04T09:50:00.000-07:00

2010 PUMPKINFEST EVENTS – 1st DRAFT

ROUND-UP AND WEIGH-OFF
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3

7:00 a.m. drop off for 10:00 a.m. event
DRA’s Round Top Farm, Main Street

SEED COLLECTION
TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5-6

11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Pinkham’s Plantation, 431 Biscay Road

PUMPKIN CARVING/PAINTING
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8-9

Main Street

PUMPKINBOAT BUILDING
THURSDAY-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7-10

Pinkham’s Plantation, 431 Biscay Road

FUN RUN
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9

8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
YMCA – 525 Main Street

PUMPKIN ‘CHUNKIN’ COMPETITIVE CHUNK-OFF
2009 WORLD CHAMPION & RUNNER-UP TEAMS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER

9:00 a.m. – 12.00 noon (Distance)
Trescott’s (Bryant’s) Farm, on Great Salt Bay, Nobleboro
(Between Belvedere & Bayview Roads)

CHILDREN’S STORY HOUR & CRAFTS
SATURDAY OCTOBER 9

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Skidompha Library, Main Street

CHILDREN’S GAMES & ACTIVITIES
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Water Street

FISH LADDER RESTORATION CELEBRATION
THIRD ANNUAL RUNNING OF THE ALEWIVES
SATURDAY, OCTOBER

11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Damariscotta Mills Fish Ladder

GIANT PUMPKIN PARADE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9

2:00 p.m.
Main Street, Damariscotta/Newcastle
Exclusively Sponsored by Maine Veterinary Referral Center

UNDERWATER PUMPKIN CARVING
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9

3:00 p.m.
Damariscotta Harbor

PUMPKIN DESSERT CONTEST
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9

3:00 p.m.
Gallagher & Stein Lot, 181 Main Street
Exclusively Sponsored by Camden National Bank
Chief Judge: Meredith Goad, Food Editor,
The Portland Press Herald

DRA NEW MOON BALL
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9

8:00 p.m.
Darrow’s Barn, Round Top Farm, Main Street, Damariscotta

PUMPKIN PANCAKE BREAKFAST
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10

7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Wells Hussey American Legion Hall – Post 42 – Ladies Auxiliary
Main Street, Damariscotta

PUMPKIN CATAPAULT & ‘CHUNKIN’ (TARGET)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10

9:00 a.m. – noon
Trescott’s (Bryant’s) Farm on Great Salt Bay, Nobleboro
(Between Belvedere & Bayview Roads)

CHILDREN’S GAMES & ACTIVITIES
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Water Street

PUMPKIN PIE EATING CONTEST
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10

1:00 p.m.
Gallagher & Stein Lot, Main Street

PUMPKIN BOAT REGATTA
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10

11:00 a.m. (per tide)
Damariscotta Harbor

THE HORSESHOE CRABS - CONCERT
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Schooner Landing, Main Street

PUMPKIN ‘HUNT’ MONDAY, OCTOBER 11

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
DRA’s Round Top Farm, Main Street

150’ PUMPKIN DROP
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11

10:00 a.m. – noon
DRA’s Round Top Farm, Main Street

‘GROWERS’ & ‘PLEDGE-SPONSORS’ DRAWINGS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11

11:00 a.m.
DRA’s Round Top Farm, Main Street

FREE KID’S MATINEE
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11

1:00 p.m.
Lincoln County Community Theater

Pumpkinfest Works with Great Salt Bay School on 2010 Giant Pumpkins

2010-03-13T07:32:00.000-08:00

Buzz Pinkham of Damariscotta Pumpkinfest met with Great Salt Bay School teachers, master gardeners, and other volunteers to plan for student involvement in the growing of 2010's giant pumpkins. Great Salt Bay School in Damariscotta, Maine has an active gardening program for its students and spear-headed the Maine Apprentice Gardeners curriculum and program.

Organizing Committee Meeting Dates 2010

2010-03-04T10:09:00.000-08:00

MARCH 11,
APRIL 15
MAY 13
JUNE 17
JULY 15
AUGUST 5
AUGUST 19
SEPTEMBER 9
SEPTEMBER 16
SEPTEMBER 23
SEPTEMBER 30
OCTOBER 28

This year's organizing meetings will be held at Skidompha Library on Thursday afternoons at 4:30 pm. Volunteers welcome! Anyone who is interested in the Pumpkinfest is invited to attend.

Save These Dates!

2010-01-26T15:21:00.000-08:00

Latest update from the Pumpkinfest Committee: Save these dates for 2010 Damariscotta Pumpkinfest

This year, the 4th Annual Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta will be held from October 3 -11.

Week long events kick-off with officially sanctioned Maine Pumpkin Growers Organization weigh-off, and include Pumpkin Carving; Giant Pumpkin Parade; Street Fair and Children's Activities; The Pumpkinboat Regatta; and Pumpkin Chunkin', Catapulting, and Pumpkin Drop, plus lots, lots more!

Another date to note for those eager to grow their own, is the Giant Pumpkin plant giveaway on May 23rd. Have fun growing your own pumpkin and help make the 4th Annual Damariscotta Pumpkinfest the BEST EVER!

Big Pumpkin "On the Waterfront!" from Chris Bales, New England Organics

2009-12-15T10:03:00.000-08:00

The Pumpkin is Bill Clark and Buzz Pinkham's "Paul", weighing 642 pounds, which Buzz generously traded for Chris' 246 pound pumpkin during his Columbus Day stop in Damariscotta, Maine at the end of Pumpkinfest 2009.

The picture was taken at Royal River Boat Yard in Yarmouth, Maine with the marina slips in the background. This pumpkin boat caused a work stoppage at the boat yard when Chris drove in to show it to owner Alan Dugas and his brother Bob.

Chris enjoyed sharing the "Cruise of Pumpkin Boat #642." Although it is now in the compost pile, its images and stories will continue cruising into eternity in cyberspace.

Chris' message continued with the following: #642 "was originally named "Pumpkin Paul", one of 4 big pumpkins (George, Paul, Ringo, and John) raised at the Pinkham's Plantation's Damariscotta patch. Can you hear a new song coming on? " We All Live in an Orange Pumpkin Boat" -- you make up the rest!"

"In December it will be time to prepare for Christmas, like making stocking stuffers, envelopes of giant, pumpkin seeds "while visions of giant pumpkins danced in their heads..."

"Fields of Gold"

2009-11-24T06:55:00.000-08:00

A huge "thank you" to all our volunteer-growers for participating in the pumpkin-pledge program! .... even some sponsored, but drowned pumpkins, contributed to a total of $1,512.06 in donations from the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest to your designated non-profits including the Damariscotta Mills Fish Ladder ($292.21), Lincoln County Football ($262.50), Edgecomb Congregational Church ($202.50), Community Energy Fund ($162.00), Lincoln County Animal Shelter ($147.85), Knox County Free Clinic ($106.50), Bristol Consolidated School's Playground Fund ($100.00), Lincoln County TV ($75.00), Habitat for Humanity ($53.50), Eldercare Network ($50.00), Coastal Kids ($35.00), and Spectrum Generations ($25.00) .... thank you for growing a pumpkin, soliciting pumpkin-pledges for your pumpkin, or sponsoring a pumpkin !

"Compost, Compost, Compost"

2009-11-24T06:15:00.000-08:00

To all you local Pumpkinheads (and those from afar) IT'S TIME TO TILL !!!! Buzz and Bill are hopeful that you will adopt a pumpkin plantlet again next spring and, "God willing and the creek don't rise", that the rainy deluge of June/July, 2009 will NOT be repeated !! Drowning seemed to be the common fate of many of the may-adoptees, but that still didn't dampen the spirits of you, our hardy volunteer-growers !!

For a successful 2010 pumpkin boat crop, now is the time to prepare your pumpkin patch for the winter by following these simple steps:
.....After the pumpkins are harvested and all the old plants are removed from the patch, it's time to start preparing for next year. All weeds should be removed from the patch to stunt next years "crop" of pesky weeds.
.....Next, collect as many leaves as you can for application on top of the patch. Maple leaves are the best, however many other varieties will work. Oak leaves have a coating on them that cause them to break down more slowly so use these as a last resort. They will break down over a winter with the proper ammendments to help them along. Do not apply chestnut leaves as they contain a soil toxin that will be detrimental to your plants. Apply the leaves in layers, up to 6 inches deep in total, mowing each layer with the lawn mower to chop them up as they will break down quicker if chopped up due to the increased surface area.
.....Next apply the same amount of aged manure, Cow is best with horse being the second choice. Fresh cow or horse manure can be applied at slightly lesser amounts. Compost, Compost, Compost !!!
.....Finally, apply a balanced fertilizer such as Espoma Garden Tone and the appropriate amount of Gypsum and Greensand. For example on a 400 square foot patch, use one 50# bag of Garden Tone and one 50# bag of Gypsum, depending on the subject soil. The best way to determine fertilizer needs is to obtain a professional soil test. Soil tests can be obtained through the University of Maine Soil Testing Service at the following link: http://anlab.umesci.maine.edu (Request the standard soil test, Soil Package 1.)
.....Roto-till all the amendments into your soil, incorporating thoroughly, and your patch will be all tucked-in for winter and on its way to a nutrient rich soil in the spring.

Animal Sightings...

2009-11-05T13:02:00.000-08:00

Togus and Friends 2009.

Photos: Phyllis Amerikana

Herb Watson
Phyllis Guss

No, We Didn't Drop the Ball...

2009-11-05T12:36:00.000-08:00

Last but not least on Monday October 12th, the Giant Pumpkin Drop...

Photos: Ronn Orenstein (copyright 2009)
Phyllis Amerikana
Phyllis Guss

Keep Your Hard Hat On - Here Comes the Catapult!

2009-11-05T12:34:00.000-08:00

So this is how the Ancient Greeks did it! Sunday Oct 11th brought the Pumpkin Catapult out amongst the Hoi polloi. Victory ensued.

Photos: Phyllis Amerikaner

Kids Just Wanna Have Fun...

2009-10-31T11:57:00.000-07:00

Meanwhile, back on Water Street in town kids of all ages enjoyed the fun & games and story-telling provided by sponsors Colby & Gale and Skidompha Library.

Photos: Ronn Orenstein (copyright 2009)

Listening to a story at Skidompha Library

"What a cutie!"

"You can do it!"

Well, it's almost as good as the beach...

Table o' goodies

Giant Bouncing Pumpkins!

There's a Whole Lotta Chunkin' Going On

2009-10-31T10:47:00.000-07:00

Photos: Phyllis Amerikana
Phyllis Guss

Target Chunkin' The art of further wrecking a wreck by smashing it with a pumpkin shot under pressure through a cannon ..... what a blast! This event took place just outside town at Trescott's Farm on Great Salt Bay, Saturday, Oct 10th.

and.....

Distance Chunkin' The art of shooting a pumpkin (or any other type of vegetable) through a 100 ft long barrel under pressure at speeds of more than 500mph. Ralph Eschborn and Pete Hill of Chaddsford PA, current world champions and Guiness book of world record holders, put the cannon which they built out of an old grain auger to the test, much to the delight of the crowd. They shot 10lb pumpkins high over the fields and into the water, reaching distances upwards of 4000 ft.

Squashes Rule the Seas in Pumpkin Boats Regatta

2009-10-17T09:52:00.000-07:00

While many watched from the shore of the Damariscotta River, Robert Clifford piloted "SS Super Soaker," his Colby & Gale truck/pumpkin boat to an easy victory in the motorized category. Perhaps it was the result of Mike Morrison's design or the boat's 15-horse power outboard engine?

Peter Geiger, editor of the "Old Farmer's Almanac," gets ready to overtake a competitor and eventually win the paddleboat division of the Pumpkinfest Regatta, in his "space shuttle" style pumpkin boat. Geiger wore a blue, NASA-style coverall and Navy cap.

Let the Race Begin - Motorized Division

2009-10-17T08:02:00.000-07:00

Let The Race Begin - Paddleboat Division

2009-10-17T07:37:00.000-07:00

How to Build a Giant Pumpkin Boat

2009-10-17T07:35:00.000-07:00

With their eyes on the prize, rival teams use all their technical expertise to create the winning boat.

Photos: Phyllis Amerikana
Phyllis Guss

Dessert Contest - 3rd Place

2009-10-16T15:07:00.000-07:00

Candice Heydon's
MAPLE MUSHROOM PUMPKIN CREME BRULEE

8 egg yolks
2 cups whipping cream
1/2 oz maple cap mushroom (Lactarius Fragilis,
also known as candy cap mushroom)
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Topping:
1/2 cup granulated sugar

Soak mushrooms in cream overnight in the refrigerator, strain. In a large bowl, whisk together until smooth the egg yolks, cream, pumpkin puree, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg & cinnamon. Divide among eight 6oz ramekins or custard cups. Place in shallow metal pan. Pour in boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake 350 degrees until the edges are set and the center still jiggles, about 35 minutes. Remove from water and refrigerate until cold, at least two hours.

Sprinkle with sugar. Broil six inches from heat, or burn with a pastry torch until melted and caramelized, about 2 minutes.

Serves 8

Dessert Contest - Runner Up

2009-10-16T14:24:00.000-07:00

Judy Spears'
PUMPKIN PRALINE CHEESECAKE

45 gingersnap cookies
1/4 cup softened margarine or butter
Four 8oz packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoons salt
4 large eggs
One 16oz can solid pack pumpkin
(not pie mix)
One 3oz can pecans, chopped
1 tablespoon light corn syrup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Place gingersnap cookies, in batches, in heavy-duty plastic bag and, with a rolling pin, roll cookies into fine crumbs - or use a food processor. You should have about 2 1/2 cups of crumbs. Mix cookie crumbs with margarine or butter and press into the base of a 9"x 2" springform pan. In a large bowl with mixer at medium speed, beat cream cheese just until smooth; slowly beat in brown sugar, scraping bowl often with a rubber spatula. Add flour, cinnamon, ginger, all spice, vanilla extract, salt, eggs & pumpkin. Beat three minutes, occasionally scraping bowl. Pour cream cheese mixture onto crust. Bake cheesecake for 1 hour. Turn off oven; let cheesecake remain in oven for 1 hour. Remove cake from oven and allow to cool completely on a rack. Cover and refrigerate for at least six hours.

Meanwhile make the praline. In a 1 quart saucepan over a low heat, heat sugar and three tablespoons water until sugar dissolves, stirring until syrup turns a light golden brown, about six minutes. zworking quickly, stir in the chopped pecans and spread praline in a thin layer on a cookie sheet to cool. Once cool, chop into small pieces. When cheesecake is firm loosen from and remove sides of pan. Slide cake onto a plat, gently spread with corn syrup & sprinkle with praline.

Dessert Contest Prize-Winning Recipe

2009-10-16T10:08:00.000-07:00

Christopher Lebel's
PUMPKIN CARROT CAKE

1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon clove
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
3 eggs
1 cup pumpkin
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup raisins
1 cup grated carrots
1 cup coconut

FROSTING:
1 pound unsalted butter
1 pound 10X sugar
pinch salt

Spray three 9" round cake pans
Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Mix baking soda, sugars, flour, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & salt in a bowl & set aside. Mix all wet ingredients together and at to the bowl of dry ingredients. Stir until mixed. Toss in raisins, carrots & coconut. Divide the batter equally between the three 9" pans. Bake for about 20 minutes.

Combine butter, sugar & pinch of salt in mixer. Frost cake as desired.

Sweet Competition Draws 18 Dessert Entrants

2009-10-15T09:23:00.000-07:00

A three-judge panel led by Portland Press Herald food editor Meredith Goad spooned their way through 20 pumpkin desserts on Saturday, October 10. Goad was joined in the tasting by retired Superior Court Justice John R. Atwood and Maine District Court Judge Michael Westcott. While the audience tasted the desserts -- someone had to do it -- the judges deliberated and selected the winners pictured above -- 1st prize to Christopher Lebel (top center) for his Maple Carrot-Pumpkin Cake; 2nd prize to Judy Speers (top right) for her Praline Pumpkin Cheesecake, and third prize to Candace Heydon (left) for her Maple Mushroom Creme Brulee. An honorable mention was awarded to Gregory Holmes for his Pumpkin Praline Trifle which was a favorite among the judges.

Three Eat Their Way to Victory at Pumpkinfest Pie Eating Contest

2009-10-14T12:29:00.002-07:00

Holding their prize 2009 Damariscotta Pumpkinfest t-shirts are, left to right, third prize finisher Rich Burnett, first place winner Jeff Cheney, and second place pie eater James Owen.

Photo by Ronn Orenstein

Have Your Pie & Eat It Too

2009-10-13T08:23:00.000-07:00

Pie Eating Competition.

It's a Beautiful Day for a Parade

2009-10-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

Saturday turned out to be a sunny day for all: Apart from Maine's record breaking 1,210 lb giant pumpkin grown by Elroy Morgan, innovative cars of all shapes and sizes were a highlight of this year's parade. Amongst them, a pair of spectacular pumpkin cars designed by Mike Morrison. In general, high kickers and pumpkinheads abounded and Togus the Cat (with friend) was spotted amongst the attending dignitaries.

Photos: Ronn Orenstein (copyright 2009)
Phyllis Amerikana
Phyllis Guss

The Making of Wanda

2009-10-12T07:18:00.000-07:00

Brenda Jones, Steve Gay and helpers cast their spell to make Damariscotta Hardware's 'Wanda the Witch.'

Artists at Work

2009-10-11T22:46:00.000-07:00

There's creativity in the Damariscottta air today as talented artists from near and far get down to the nitty gritty.

Photos: Ronn Orenstein (Copyright 2009)
Phyllis Guss

Giant Pumpkin Delivery

2009-10-10T21:03:00.000-07:00

The long awaited day has arrived. The town of Damariscotta is all set up and ready to receive it's full share of giant pumpkins. Over the next few days giant pumpkins lining the main street and beyond will be transformed by the skillful hands of volunteer artists.

(Photos courtesy of Phyllis Guss)

How Many Men Does it Take to Lift a Pumpkin?

Togus Wins Big

2009-10-05T05:06:00.000-07:00

Togus the Cat (morning mascot of the WCSH Channel 6 Storm Center) and his “dad” WCSH Channel 6 news reporter Don Carrigan jointly grew this 362 pound pumpkin - the largest grown by a "non-professional" volunteer grower.

Damariscotta Pumpkinfest Kicks Off for 2009 By Weighing Maine’s Largest Pumpkin -- Events Continue Through Columbus Day, October 12

2009-10-04T17:19:00.000-07:00

Elroy Morgan and his wife Missy are pictured with the Maine's new state record holder - a 1,210 pound pumpkin! (Phyllis Guss photo)

Despite the clouds and mist Sunday morning, Damariscotta Pumpkinfest got off to a sunny start by weighing in Maine’s new state giant pumpkin record holder.

Elroy Morgan of Bradford, Maine grew this 1,210 pound winner. An experienced grower, Morgan has spent the past 8 years trying to raise the biggest pumpkin in Maine state history. This year he succeeded by beating the previous Maine record - set in 2006 - by 80 pounds. A new world record was recently set in Ohio by Christy Hart who grew a 1,725 pound pumpkin.

Also participating in Sunday’s weigh-off were 26 volunteer growers of various ages. Their pumpkins ranged in size from a pretty orange pumpkin weighing 7 pounds, to a giant gourd hitting the scales at 362 pounds. The latter pumpkin was grown by Togus the Cat (morning mascot of the WCSH Channel 6 Storm Center) and his human “dad” WCSH Channel 6 news reporter Don Carrigan.

Three other real heavy weights were grown locally by Bill Clark, founder of Maine Pumpkin Growers Organization and co-founder of Damariscotta Pumpkinfest with Buzz Pinkham. Bill’s Atlantic Giant Pumpkins weighed 607, 648, and 863 pounds.

Pumpkinfest will continue through Columbus Day, Monday, October 12.

Highlights on Saturday, October 10 include the YMCA Fun Run (8 am), Pumpkin Distance Chunkin’ (9 am - noon), Giant Pumpkin Parade (2 pm), Pumpkin Dessert Contest (3 pm), and Underwater Pumpkin Carving (3:30 pm).

Sunday, October 11 events feature a Pancake Breakfast by the American Legion Auxiliary (7 - 11 am), Pumpkin Catapult and Chunkin’ (9 am), Pumpkin Paddle Boat Races (2 pm), Motorized Pumpkin Regatta (3:30 pm), and a concert by The Horseshoe Crabs at Schooner Landing (5 pm).

Children’s games and activities will be held on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm.

On Monday, October 12, the 150-Foot Pumpkin Drop is set for 10 am.

All events are free except for the Pancake Breakfast which costs $6 for adults and $3 for children, and some of children's games.

Shuttle service from satellite parking to downtown Damariscotta events will be provided on Saturday and Sunday, October 10 and 11. Signs to parking will be placed where on Business Route 1 and Route 1 connect, at the northern and southern ends of Damariscotta.

Weigh-Off 2009

2009-10-04T13:08:00.000-07:00

Photos: Ronn Orenstein (copyright 2009)
Phyllis Guss

Ready, Steady, Go!

2009-10-03T08:58:00.000-07:00

GOOD DAY SQUASHBUCKLERS:

The Damariscotta Pumpkinfest's Weigh-In is this Sunday, October 4, with pumpkins to be dropped off between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. at Round Top Center for the Arts, on Main street in Damariscotta (across from Poole Brothers). The weigh-in will proceed from 10:00 a.m. until noon. All size pumpkins are needed for the festival, from the large ones for paddle and motor boats, to the smaller ones for the children's activities . Please bring your pumpkins back home to damariscotta!

If your plantlet didn't survive but you collected any pledges for him, whether a penny a pound or a flat pledge, please remit them promptly. You and your friends who pledged support for your pumpkin will be entered in the "volunteer growers and pledge sponsors" raffle which will be held on Monday, October 12, at the "pumpkin drop" and you just may win one of the coveted prizes !!

Volunteer-growers of pumpkins must bring/mail their completed pledge sheets to the Pumpkin Weigh-In on Sunday, October 4, 2009. Please ensure your form includes the name of the local non-profit that you want to receive half of the pledges, (which could be the pumpkinfest itself as we are now a licensed non-profit with a federal tax id number of 26-446-1248 ). Your pledge sheet also will include the pumpkin's identification number (which is hand-written on top of your individual pledge sheet). This is essential for genetic tracking and record-keeping by the Maine Pumpkin Growers Organization, which supplied the plantlets.

To be eligible for the prize raffle on October 12 at the "pumpkin drop", volunteer growers must remit their pledge monies to Robert Clifford, Colby & Gale, 154 Biscay Road, Damariscotta, ME 04543, telephone 207-563-3414 by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2009. If there is time to mail them for receipt by Robert before the deadline, just mail the pledge-checks to the Pumpkinfest at P.O. Box 1101, Damariscotta, ME 04543. Either way, if you grew a pumpkin (currently dead or alive ! ) and collected pledges for him, you will be entered in the raffle if you submit your pledge-checks !!

Stay tuned for more to come !!

Pumpkinfest Map & Schedule

2009-09-22T13:24:00.000-07:00

Map & Schedule courtesy of The Lincoln County News.

Please note that Pumpkin Dessert Contest will start at 3:30 pm on Saturday, October 10 (not 3:00 pm).

Pumpkinfest Map 2009

Pumpkinfest Schedule 2009

"Run For Your Life"

2009-09-22T08:01:00.000-07:00

PARTICIPATE IN THE YMCA "PUMPKINFEST FUN RUN"

sign up for the YMCA-sponsored "pumpkinfest fun run and relay" to be held the morning of saturday, october 10 ... there will be prizes for youngsters and adults alike, with "a taste of honey" promised at the end of the course ! (for entry form contact holly pendleton at the YMCA at: hpendleton@clcYMCA.org or 563-3477 )

hope to see you all at the pumpkinfest !!

"Help!"

2009-09-22T07:30:00.000-07:00

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PUMPKINFEST EVENTS !

Get your community-support juices flowing !! wouldn't it be fun to help out at the seed retrieval ? imagine you and your kids up to your collective elbows in pumpkin-pulp !! volunteers "diggers" are needed to collect seeds in two hour shifts on tuesday/wednesday, october 6-7 ! what a way to get into the spirit of autumn, as well as to remind the youngsters of the value of volunteering for your community !! (contact: bill clark at: stunner906@roadrunner.com or 563-8512-home )

how about helping our at the weigh-off, recording the winning weights and cheering on your favorite candidates ? volunteer "scribes" are needed to work the weigh-off on sunday morning, october 4 ! (contact: bill clark at: stunner906@roadrunner.com or 563-8512-home )

are you mechanical ? how about helping to create the regatta fleet ? volunteer carpenters/engine mechanics/handymen are needed to design and create the fleet of pumpkinboats, in shifts when you are available from thursday-sunday, october 8-11 ! (contact buzz pinkham at: pinkhams@roadrunner.com or 592-6184-cell )

interested in flying pumpkins ? how about volunteering to help out at the pumpkin catapault ? volunteers are needed for that event, to be held on sunday, october 11 from 9:00 a.m. to noon... (contact buzz pinkham at: pinkhams@roadrunner.com or 592-6184-cell)

ever wanted to create a parade float ? the world champion "pumpkin chunkers" from pennsylvania want to ride a float in the maine veterinary referral center-sponsored "damariscotta pumpkinfest parade", but will not have time beforehand to create a float...how about it, you imaginative/artistic/mechanical squashbucklers ? what kind of float should pumpkin chunkers ride ?? the parade, to be held saturday, october 10, ought to be even more fun to watch, knowing you and your kids contributed to a float ! (contact jen york at: JYork@tidewater.net or 563-3414-office or 380-3160-cell )

"R U Artistic" ?? ... how about sculpting a giant pumpkin, painting or designing it, carving and lighting, decorating it to bring out its' "inner pumpkin" ?? so far, the downtown damariscotta businesses have generously purchased "sweet little sixteen" (count 'em !!) giant pumpkins for display in front of their businesses... some business owners have already lined up an artist for their giant, but others have not... if you have imagination and artistic ability, as well as time to make the magic happen on saturday/sunday, october 10-11, please consider this unique "artistic medium" !! (contact ronn orenstein at: info2@ronnorenstein.com or 563-1635-home or 687-9000-cell )

are you a fan as I am, of meredith goad, food editor of the portland press herald ? meet her in person while you volunteer at the camden national bank sponsored "pumpkin dessert contest", saturday, october 10 at 3:30 p.m. ... help to register and organize entrants, assist judges (including meredith and ME state circuit court judge john atwood !), distribute samples, and applaud the winners !! (contact: jen york at: JYork@tidewater.net or 563-3414-office or 380-3160-cell )

PLOP !!! ever wished you could see a giant pumpkin drop onto a police cruiser ? help make that happen on monday, october 12 from 10:00 a.m. - noon by volunteering for crowd control, 150' crane-loading, or splatter-duty !! (contact buzz pinkham at: pinkhams@roadrunner.com or 592-6184-cell )

Pumpkinfest T-Shirts On Sale Now!

2009-09-22T07:11:00.000-07:00

"BABY'S IN BLACK"
PUMPKINFEST T-SHIRTS BY GLENN CHADBOURNE

great news, folks !! glenn chadbourne, the artist who illustrates stephen king's books, is the DAMARISCOTTA PUMPKINFEST OFFICIAL T-SHIRT artist !!! his wonderfully detailed design graces the back of the black, 100% cotton T-shirt, while his "pumpkinboat logo - 2009" is on the front:

... you'll definately want to purchase one of these collector's items to wear to the pumpkinfest and while you tend your pumpkin patch !! just contact carisa holmes of the chamber, or stop by the damariscotta region chamber of commerce (carisa@damariscottaregion.com - 15 courtyard street, damariscotta, ME 04543) with your T-Shirt purchase requests ... they also are being sold at the damariscotta river grille restaurant on downtown damariscotta's main street ...

"I Want You - She's So Heavy"

2009-09-22T06:59:00.000-07:00

GOOD DAY SQUASHBUCKLERS:

"MONEY, THAT'S WHAT I WANT"
GIANT PUMPKINS SEEKING SPONSORSHIP

bill clark and buzz pinkham's pumpkin patch (at pinkham's plantation on biscay road in damariscotta) has produced four giants, "john, paul, george and ringo", all of whom are seeking pledge sponsors ! please stop by and choose your favorite beatle to sponsor, since we all "get by with a little help from my friends" !! (contact buzz pinkham at: pinkhams@roadrunner.com or 592-6184-cell )

"PLEASE PLEASE ME" !!!!
THIRSTY PUMPKINS NEED WATER

please, please, please water those needy-pumpkins, more than you ever thought possible !! this is when they gain weight like crazy and you literally can "watch them grow" !!! but they are thirsty and need to have the sprinkler turned on and up !! the typical giant pumpkin now could use two (2) hours, or 25 gallons, of watering daily to be "pleased" !!

"PENNY LANE"
RAFFLE FOR VOLUNTEER GROWERS AND PLEDGE SPONSORS

we had a welcome envelope in our post office box (P.O. Box 1101, Damariscotta, ME 04543-1101) the other day... it included a volunteer-grower's pledge sheet for her recently deceased pumpkin (evidently it left her patch to join the "spirits in the sky" !!), as well as the checks for pledges she had collected for him !! please remember that, even if your plantlet didn't survive, if you collected any pledges for him, whether a penny a pound or a flat pledge, please remit them promptly... you and your friends who pledged support to your pumpkin will be entered in the "volunteer growers and pledge sponsors" raffle which will be held on monday, october 12, and you may just win one of the coveted prizes !!

Volunteer-growers of pumpkins must bring/mail their completed pledge sheets to the Pumpkin Weigh-In on Sunday, October 4, 2009. please ensure your form includes the name of the 501(c)(3) charity that you want to receive half of the pledges made. It must also include the pumpkin's identification number (which is hand-written on top of your individual pledge sheet). This is essential for genetic tracking and record-keeping by the Maine Pumpkin Growers Organization, which supplied the plantlets.

To be eligible for the prize raffle on October 12, volunteer growers (of dead or alive gourds) must drop off their pledge monies to Robert Clifford, at Colby & Gale's offices at 154 Biscay Road, Damariscotta, ME 04543, telephone 207-563-3414 by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2009. If there is time to mail them for receipt by Robert before the deadline, just mail the pledge-checks to the Pumpkinfest at P.O. Box 1101, Damariscotta, ME 04543... either way, if you grew a pumpkin (successful or not) and collected pledges for a pumpkin, you will be entered in the raffle if you submit your pledge-checks !!

2 Reminders For Volunteer Growers As Harvest Nears

2009-09-17T11:01:00.000-07:00

Volunteer-growers must bring their completed pledge sheets to the Pumpkin Weigh-In on Sunday, October 4, 2009. Your form must include the name of the 501(c)(3) charity that you want to receive half of the pledges made. It must also include the pumpkin's identification number (hand-written on top of the individual pledge sheet). This is essential for genetic tracking and record-keeping.

To be eligible for the prize raffle on October 12, volunteer growers must remit all of their pledge monies to Robert Clifford at Colby & Gale's offices at 154 Biscay Road, Damariscotta, ME 04543, telephone 207-563-3414 by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2009.

How to Harvest a Giant Pumpkin

2009-09-15T18:10:00.000-07:00

How To Harvest A Giant Pumpkin
By Bill Clark, Founder, Maine Pumpkin Growers Organization

The giant pumpkin fruit should be harvested from early to mid October, depending on the weather and weigh-off dates. Most growers will cut their fruit from the vine the day before the weigh-off they are attending.

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. Some growers will even leave 3 to 4 feet on either side of the pumpkin, and place the cut ends of the vine into milk jugs filled with water. This helps minimize pumpkin weight loss prior to the weigh-off. A pumpkin cut from the vine can lose 2 pounds or more in weight each day after it is cut from water evaporation.

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. There are many different ways get your big pumpkin from the vine to the back of a truck or trailer for transportation. Clearly, ingenuity and pure strength are the key.

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.

Some growers use a lifting harness around the fruit, and hoist the pumpkin with a tripod and chainfall. Others will dig a hole in front of the stem of the fruit, roll the pumpkin onto its shoulders so the stem is in the hole. They then dig another hole for one end of the pallet to sit in so it won’t kick or slide, and slowly lower the fruit down on top of the pallet.

There are many ways to move your fruit, and prepare it for transportation. Whatever method is used, exercise extreme caution, and think the process through. Nothing can reduce a grower to tears faster than damaging or splitting a fruit during harvest and transport, or even worse, having someone get hurt moving your giant pumpkin fruit.

3 Weeks to Harvest - We Keep Growing!

2009-09-12T10:32:00.000-07:00

These four Atlantic Giant Pumpkins are trying to keep warm with blankets and heaters. There's only 22 days more until harvest and they need to get big enough to be pumpkin boats in Damariscotta, Maine's Pumpkin Regatta on October 11th. Or to be carved and painted into pumpkin art for display out front of Damariscotta and Newcastle's downtown shops.

These are the pumpkins still looking for supporters willing to guess their final weights and make a pledge to support local non-profits. For instructions on how to leave your pledge, see our September 11th post:

Support non Profits by the Pumpkin Pound ...

Togus Surveys His Pumpkin Patch

2009-09-11T14:01:00.000-07:00

Togus, morning mascot of the WCSH Channel 6 Storm Center, surveys his pumpkin patch. With help from his "parents" WCSH reporter Don Carrigan and Donna Carrigan, he's getting ready for next month's Damariscotta Pumpkinfest. Togus' pumpkin grows bigger every day!

Support Local Non-Profits by the Pumpkin Pound - Follow Giant Pumpkins @www.damariscottapumpkinfest.com

2009-09-11T09:52:00.000-07:00

With Damariscotta Pumpkinfest about a month away, you have the chance to support your favorite local non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. You may support the organization you select by making a pledge based on the final weight of one or more of the four Atlantic Giant Pumpkins being grown by experts Bill Clark and Buzz Pinkham. For example, by pledging “a dime per pound” on a 1,000 pound pumpkin, you can have the opportunity to make a $100 donation!

Sunday, October 4th is the date of the weigh-off. Between now and then, check out the pumpkins growing out front of Pinkham’s Plantation. You may fill out a pledge sheet at Pinkham’s which is located at 431 Biscay Road in Damariscotta, ME. Pinkham’s is open from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Saturday; and from 9 AM to 3 PM on Sunday.

The pledges will be collected based on the official harvested weight for the chosen pumpkin(s). Half of the proceeds will go to your designated non-profit organization. The other half will go to defray the cost of the eight days of Damariscotta Pumpkinfest’s events.

One of four giant pumpkins awaiting sponsors & weighing 450 pounds on 8/25/09.

Calling All Chefs and Bakers To Pumpkin Dessert Contest on October 10th -- Artists Wanted to Paint & Carve Giant Pumpkins on October 10th & 11th

2009-09-11T09:08:00.000-07:00

For 2009, Damariscotta Pumpkinfest is pleased to invite all chefs, bakers, and wannabe Food Network stars to enter the Pumpkin Dessert Contest. This yummy event is new for 2009, and will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. on Water Street in Damariscotta. All types of desserts -- pies, cakes, cookies -- are eligible and must use fresh, frozen, or canned pumpkin. Pumpkin pie spice alone does not count.

Entries will be judged by an expert panel of three judges. Prizes of $50, $25, and $10, plus a trophy and ribbon are up for grabs. To enter, please contact Jennifer York by email at JYORK@TIDEWATER.NET to receive a registration form.

Official Logo Revealed

We are also pleased to reveal our official logo with thanks to artist Glenn Chadbourne of Newcastle, Maine. Glenn attended Lincoln Academy before continuing his education at the Portland School of Art. He also attended the University of Maine at Augusta, as well as the University of Southern Maine. He is best known for his work in the horror and fantasy genres and his illustrations for Stephen King's novels and short stories.

Our gratitude also goes to Jean Kerrigan of the Damariscotta River Grill and the Anchor Inn for shepherding through the logo design, and the Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce. T-shirts bearing the official logo will soon be available through the Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce.

Artists Needed

Whether you are a professional, amateur, or aspiring sculptor, painter, carver or decorator, Damariscotta Pumpkinfest is seeking to apply your creative energy to transform an Atlantic Giant Pumpkin into an "objet d'art." Large audiences are guaranteed for this unique art exhibit during Pumpkinfest. The results of your endeavor will be displayed prominently on Main Street in Damariscotta and Newcastle, Maine.

Work on the pumpkins will take place on October 10 and 11, 2009. Pumpkin art will be displayed as long as the pumpkins last.
Interested artists should contact Ronn Orenstein by phone at 207-687-9000, or by email at info2@ronnorenstein.com.

Pumpkinfest Reveals Fun-Filled Schedule of Events

2009-09-04T14:33:00.000-07:00

HERE ARE THE EVENTS WE HAVE PLANNED TO MAKE

THE THIRD ANNUAL PUMPKINFEST THE BEST EVER !

ROUND-UP AND WEIGH-OFF SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4

7:00 a.m. drop off for 10:00 a.m. event

DRA’s Round Top Farm, Main Street

SEED COLLECTION TUES.-WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6- 7

11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Pinkham’s Plantation, Biscay Road

PUMPKIN CARVING/PAINTING SATURDAY-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10-11

Main Street

PUMPKINBOAT BUILDING THURSDAY-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8-11

Pinkham’s Plantation, Biscay Road

FUN RUN/RELAY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10

8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

YMCA – Main Street

PUMPKIN “CHUNKIN” (DISTANCE) SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10

(approval pending!) 9:00 a.m. – noon & 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Trescott’s Farm on Great Salt Bay

CHILDREN’S STORY HOUR & CRAFTS SATURDAY-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10-11

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Skidompha Library, Main Street

CHILDREN’S GAMES & ACTIVITIES SATURDAY-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10-11

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Water Street

“SECOND RUNNING OF THE ALEWIVES” SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10

11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Damariscotta Mills Fish Ladder

GIANT PUMPKIN PARADE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10

2:00 p.m.

Main Street, Damariscotta/Newcastle

UNDERWATER PUMPKIN CARVING SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10

3:00 p.m.

Damariscotta Harbor

PUMPKIN DESSERT CONTEST SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10

3:30 p.m.

Water Street

PUMPKIN PANCAKE BREAKFAST SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11

7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

American Legion Hall, Main Street

PUMPKIN CATAPULT & “CHUNKIN” (TARGET) SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11

9:00 a.m. – noon

Trescott’s Farm on Great Salt Bay

PIE EATING CONTEST - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11

1:00 p.m.

Gallagher and Stein Parking Area

Biscay Road

PUMPKIN-PADDLEBOAT RACES SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (per tide)

Damariscotta Harbor

MOTORIZED PUMPKINBOAT REGATTA SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (per tide)

Damariscotta Harbor

150’ PUMPKIN DROP MONDAY, OCTOBER 12

10:00 a.m. – noon

DRA’s Round Top Farm, Main Street

“GROWERS” & “PLEDGE-SPONSORS” DRAWINGS MONDAY, OCTOBER 12

11:00 a.m.

DRA’s Round Top Farm, Main Street

FREE KID'S MATINEE - MONDAY, OCT 12

(Wallace & Gromet in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit)

1:00 p.m.

Lincoln County Community Theatre

How to Keep Your Giant Pumpkin Warm - Growing Tips for Late Season Protection

2009-08-28T11:32:00.000-07:00

2008 Damariscotta Pumpkinfest Parade - Photo by Ronn Orenstein

- 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 growing 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 the a slight frost can leave you waking up to leaves that are black and wilted, ending the growing 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. The cover will keep the heat of the day inside the enclosure and hold 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 slightly 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 each grower to decide how far they will go to keep the plant growing and gaining pounds late in the season.

A Not-So-Giant pumpkin - Photo by Ronn Orenstein

Join Pumpkinfest Planning - Next Meeting - Sept 9th- 4:30 pm

2009-08-22T12:27:00.000-07:00

All are invited to participate in organizing for the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest and supporting our volunteer growers.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009

4:30 P.M.

COLBY & GALE OFFICES

154 BISCAY ROAD

DAMARISCOTTA

207-563-3414

CONTACT: JEN YORK

JYORK@TIDEWATER.NET

More Growing Instructions - Six Weeks to Harvest

2009-08-16T16:25:00.000-07:00

The largest pumpkin pictured is weighing in at about 300 pounds and gaining 25 pounds a day. Clearly, one of our covered giant pumpkins is a true Mainer -- it's "dressed" in cotton flannel!

- In order to grow a big pumpkin, your plant needs to be kept as stress free as possible. Excessive heat is an enemy in that temperatures above 85 degrees will cause your plant to wilt, slowing down the energy process and thereby fruit growth. Frequent, short intervals of misting water over the leaves cools the plant by evaporational cooling and helps combat stress on those hot days.

- Another form of stress mentioned briefly above is stem stress. Your pumpkin will grow at astonishing rates from mid-July to mid-August in some cases gaining 20 to 40 lbs. a day. This rapid growth can put tension on the pumpkin stem as the fruit grows in height and its shoulders grow toward the vine. Cutting the tap roots under the 3 leaves in either direction of the fruit will allow the vine to move upward as the pumpkin grows.

- Cut off any leaves that impede access to the fruit or may be rubbing against the skin of the pumpkin.

- Insure the vine does not rub against the fruit itself. You can train the vine by carefully pulling it away from the fruit shoulders with cushioned pieces of cloth. This method takes practice to learn and can run the risk of popping the fruit off the vine so use extreme caution when performing this method and only pull what the vine will allow every few days. It may also be wise to have another experienced grower demostrate the method before attempting it yourself.

Great Resources for Pumpkin Growers from UMaine Cooperative Extension

2009-08-04T14:17:00.000-07:00

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Home » Yard & Garden » Gardening, Landscaping & Composting » Smart Gardener: A Learning Guide for Home Vegetable Growers

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Smart Gardener: A Learning Guide for Home Vegetable Growers
Item #2282
Publisher: UMaine Extension
This invaluable 72-page learning guide will teach you how to make the most of your home vegetable gardens, large and small. Each of the 12 lessons focuses on a specific aspect of gardening know-how, such as soil, seeds, garden design, mulches and weeds. Includes lesson review, study questions, activites and a glossary. 1994.
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Source: University of Maine Cooperative Extension

More Growing Tips

2009-07-31T11:56:00.000-07:00

Female blossoms (see photo below) will have a ping-pong ball size baby pumpkin under the flower.
Train your main vine in an 'S' shape so that female blossoms are on the outside of a curve. This will provide the pumpkin room for the shoulders to grow without pressing against the vine, possibly tearing itself off the vine.
Move the vine slightly each day or the vine will snap if moved too much at once.
Cull all fruit but one on the plant by the first week in August for maximum growth. Do not cull extra fruit all at once but instead over the course of a few days. Fruit set should be on the main vine a minimum of ten feet from the stump.
Determine the fruit you should keep by evaluating growth rate, distance from the stump and position on the vine. The optimal position on the vine is perpendicular to the vine.
If your "keeper" fruit is not 90 degrees to the main vine, it can be moved 1/8"-1/4" per day until it is perpendicular. This is a delicate operation as the slightest bit of excess movement will cause the pumpkin stem to break.
Protect your fruit from any sun exposure by covering with a sheet or erecting a shade structure. This will help keep the skin supple for those 20-25# per day peak growth periods.

Nine Week Update

2009-07-23T05:30:00.000-07:00

Strong Secondary Shoots

Male Flowers

Side View

Fertilized Fruit

Two Fruits Fertilized on Same Day

Close Up of Female Flower

Female Flower

Inside Male Flower

Female Flower on Left, Male on Right

Petals Removed from Male Flower

Fertilizing the Female Flower

Patriotic Pumpkins Join Round Pond, Maine's July 4th Parade

2009-07-04T14:43:00.000-07:00

The skies cleared just in time for the infamous and irreverent July 4th Parade in Round Pond, Maine. Joining the "tacky tourists," an annual favorite, were our Atlantic Giant Pumpkins and their tenders and their families.

We're hoping for more sun next week so our pumpkin brothers and sisters who are not lucky enough to have hoop houses, sun lamps, and heated soil can get some more growing done.

Growing tips to follow soon.

More Growing Tips & Pumpkins Getting Bigger

2009-06-22T12:51:00.000-07:00

Week 3: Leaves keep coming...loving the warm soil and heat in these chilly evenings. How did we end up in Maine?

More Growing Tips from Pumpkin Masters Bill Clark and Buzz Pinkham

Allow main vine to grow approx. 20' -30' before pinching end to terminate growth. Secondaries should be terminated at 10' -14'. These are optimal sizes, and can be adjusted according to the area you have available in your patch.

Do not allow vines to grow from secondary or side vines. These tertiary vines are similar to sucker vines on tomato plants and should be pinched off as they appear.

Bury main vine with 1" -2" of soil to within three feet of either side of fruit and bury all secondary vines at the same depth. Burying vines will promote tap root growth under every leaf node, essentially making the whole plant become part of the root system.

Week 4: Must be all that rain and great nutrients that have made me grow -- not to mention the tender loving care of Bill Clark, my grower. Getting a little closer with my hoop house mate - nice!

More to come when the sun comes out. Perhaps this is to get us ready to be pumpkin boats?

Growing Tips & One Pumpkin's Progress

2009-06-14T10:04:00.000-07:00

This pumpkin plant is feeling good just one week in this lovely, fertilized and heat soil in its hoops house out front of the nursery in Damariscotta, Maine.

Even though it's raining nonstop in Midcoast Maine today, sunshine is expected for the rest of the week. In anticipation of getting back outside to tend our growing pumpkins -- that are sipping on the rain and trying to avoid too wet feet today -- here are some growing tips along with photos of Bill and Buzz's pumpkins' progress.

Always walk on boards when tending your plant to prevent soil compaction.
If you can, provide a cloche or cold frame for early protection of seedlings with some form of heat if possible.
Be sure to open up your cloche or cold frame appropriately during sunny days to prevent cooking your plant. Temps inside can be 30-40 degrees warmer than outside temps on sunny days.
In most cases, your plants main vine will grow in the opposite direction of the first, true leaf which will form in between the two oval leaves.
Train your plant with side vines running perpendicular to main vine. Think of your plant as a Christmas tree where the main vine is the trunk and the secondary vines are branches.
Foliar feed your plant twice a week after the vine is three feet long with a liquid fish and seaweed product.

Week three finds this Atlantic Giant Pumpkin plant beginning to branch out. More to come in that regard!

This information was prepared by our master pumpkin growers Bill Clark and Buzz Pinkham.

For more detailed information, visit the Maine Pumpkin Growers Organization website at http://www.mainepumpkins.com/ and review the How-To sections.

You should also visit http://www.bigpumpkins.com/ and review their articles in the How-To section.

HAPPY GROWING!

Damariscotta Pumpkinfest Planning At Full Speed

2009-06-10T13:06:00.000-07:00

Growers and non-growers in Midcoast Maine are busy not just planting Atlantic Giant Pumpkins, but also scheduling events for Pumpkinfest 2009.

Events planned so far include:

Sunday, October 4th -- Pumpkin Round-Up and Weigh-Off n Sunday, October 4th in Damariscotta

This weigh-in is not "The Biggest Loser". It's Buzz Pinkham with two large pumpkin friends waiting to get weighed-in and hoping to be as heavy as possible! (Photo by Herb Watson.)

Wednesday, October 7th -- Seed Collection for next's year's giant pumpkins at Pinkham's Plantation Nursery in Damariscotta

Saturday, October 10th -- Giant Pumpkins Parade into Damariscotta Main Street

Two giant pumpkins ready for the regatta made their way down Main Street in Damariscotta during the 2008 Pumpkin Parade. (Photo courtesty of Maine Pumpkin Growers Organization.)

Sunday, October 11th -- Movie Matinee at the Lincoln County Theatre in Damariscotta

Sunday, October 11th -- Pumpkin Regatta featuring pumpkin paddleboat and motorized pumpkinboats divisions in Damariscotta Harbor between 2pm and 5pm

Fans gather in Damariscotta Harbor to cheer on entrants in paddleboat division of 2008 Pumpkinboat Regatta

Three entrants compete in motorized division of 2008 Pumpkinboat Regatta (Photos courtesy of Bill Clark.)

Monday, October 12th -- 150-foot Pumpkin Drop

NOTE TO ALL: Keep your eyes peeled at the end of the month ... rumor has it that Giant Pumpkins may raise from the patch and make a special appearance at the Round Pond Parade. It is expected that they will have grown since they joined the Memorial Day parade in Damariscotta.

Three master pumpkin growers and boat captains -- Tom Lishness, Buzz Pinkham, and Bill Clark -- and "pumpkins" are apprised of their rights by a Damariscotta Police Officer during the May 25, 2009 Memorial Day Parade. (Photo by Phyllis Guss.)

Getting Ready to Grow a Really Big Pumpkin

2009-05-24T10:35:00.000-07:00

Planting The Pumpkin Seeds -- Bill Clark, founder of Maine Pumpkin Growers Organization, plants Atlantic Giant Pumpkin seeds that have been filed and then soaked for 6-8 hours in warm water at 85 degrees. This year's seeds came from last year's biggest and best pumpkins. They are carefully tracked and labeled with the grower's name and final weight -- for example, "Mary 996."

In the Steam Room, Germinating The Pumpkin Seeds -- The door has been removed so we may peek inside the "steam room" where the pumpkin seeds are germinating. They sprout in about 4 days.

Leaves At Last -- These baby Atlantic Giant Pumpkin plants are ready to be adopted by some 500 volunteer growers in Mid-Coast Maine. Each volunteer-grower in the 2009 Pumpkin Plant GiveAway will have the opportunity to raise money for their favorite local non-profit organization and to make the 2009 Damariscotta Pumpkinfest better than ever. They can do so by securing sponsorships for their pumpkin from their friends and family.

As In Life, It's All About The Dirt -- To grow the "big daddies and mommies" of the pumpkin patch -- the contenders in the pumpkinboat regatta on October 11, 2009 or "pumpkin Picassos" gracing Main Street in Damariscotta and Newcastle, Maine during Pumpkinfest 2009, soil preparation is key.

Buzz Pinkham and Bill Clark (pictured above) -- growers of 1000+ pound pumpkins feed the soil before planting with compost, liquid fertilizer with fish emulsion and seaweed, and their own dry fertilizer with unnamed, secret ingredients. To grow the really big ones, Bill has constructed two hoop houses out front of Buzz's nursery Pinkham’s Plantation in Damariscotta. The soil in the hoop houses has been tilled repeatedly to allow the giant pumpkin vines’ roots to easily take hold and get all needed nutrients and water.

For those of us in Mid-Coast Maine without hoop houses, we still have a week to do soil preparation since we don't want our baby Atlantic Giant Pumpkin plants to possibly freeze overnight. For us, June 1st is the magic planting date when the dangers of frost have past.

Great Food Among the Secrets to Really Big Pumpkins
Some of the secrets to growing really big pumpkins include: feeding the soil before planting with compost, liquid fertilizer with fish emulsion and seaweed, and a dry fertilizer with microbes, etc. To grow the really big ones, Buzz has constructed two hoop houses out front of his nursery Pinkham’s Plantation in Damariscotta.

Keep It Warm
The ground in the hoop house contains heat cables set to keep the temperature at no less than 70 degrees Fahrenheit. A fan spreads the heat evenly throughout and end flaps keep the heat inside when it’s cooler. There are also misters for the four pumpkins that will be housed there to keep the humidity exactly right and cool off the pumpkins on hot days. In addition, for round-the-clock growing, 400-watt, full spectrum lights shine all night long so pumpkins will grow 24/7.

Watch for more hints as the growing season continues!

300 Giant Pumpkin Plants Find Growers!

2009-05-22T07:17:00.000-07:00

300 Giant Pumpkin Plants Find Growers with Local Community Organizations to Benefit

On Sunday, May 17, 2009, the Maine Pumpkin Growers Organization (MePGO) gave away close to 300 Giant Atlantic Pumpkin plants to local growers. Each grower in the 2009 Pumpkin Plant GiveAway will have the chance to raise money for their favorite local non-profit organization and to make the Pumpkinfest better than ever by securing sponsorships for their pumpkin.

Among those picking up an Atlantic Giant Pumpkin plant on Sunday was Togus, a 26-pound Maine Coon Cat “owned” or at least housed by WCSH6 News Center reporter Don Carrigan and his wife Donna. When not eating, catching mice, eating, purring, eating, cat-napping, and eating, Togus is the morning mascot of the Channel 6 Storm Center. With the help of Don and support of Donna Carrigan, Togus will be growing a giant pumpkin and gathering pumpkin sponsorships. The other volunteer pumpkin growers were of the human variety. They came from as far away as Gorham and Rockland, and ranged in age from very young to not so young!

A total of 500 giant pumpkin plants will be given out. These seedlings will become the grand daddies of the pumpkin patch and will be featured at Pumpkinfest 2009’s events as pumpkin regatta entrants or painted and/or sculpted art objects that will grace Main Street in October. The ambitious goal is to collectively grow 500 pumpkins weighing 100 pounds each for a total of 50,000 pounds!

Volunteer-growers will obtain pledge-sponsors for their pumpkin from their friends and family throughout the growing season. Pledges may be based on either a specified amount per pound for the pumpkin (for example, “a penny a pound”) or a flat rate ($5 per pumpkin). Half of the pledges will go to the local non-profit organization designated by the volunteer-grower; the other half will go to defray the cost of the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest 2009’s eight days of events from October 4 through 12, 2009.

If you missed Sunday’s give away, giant pumpkin plantlets are still available for free at Pinkham’s Plantation at 431 Biscay Road in Damariscotta. Pinkham’s is open 9am to 5pm every day except Memorial Day when the hours are to be 9am to 1pm. Get there soon to get your pumpkin seedling while supplies last.