Painters and carvers got an early start on Friday morning creating their pumpkin art on Main Street in Newcastle and Damariscotta.

“I like it when it is quiet,” said Susan Bartlett, wrapping her pumpkin with masking tape in preparation for painting stripes. It was Bartlett’s 10th year creating pumpkin art for Pumpkinfest. Hope Prentice and Mindy Starr-Pfahler were painting in front of Sheepscot River Pottery a universe they called “Starry Night."

Carving for Midcoast Energy, Bill Morgner and Gina Philippon were carving a yawning man. A master of horror, Glenn Chadbourne, was trying to let his pumpkin speak to him. The pumpkin stem would become the tongue of a giant toothy head.

Christina Jacobs was making her “Pumpkin Jerk” to celebrate the 70th year her family has run the Main Street pharmacy, now a soda fountain. Crossing to the sunny side of the street, Liz Martone was filling in the details of a haunted house. Ronna Lugosch turned over her corner spot to son Joe who was creating an old man telling a story to a group of pumpkin children.

Deb Arter had a 1,400-pound pumpkin she planned to make into a giant clam.

The pumpkins are now on exhibit to the public. Pumpkinfest continues, including a parade on Saturday and the regatta on Monday.