Scaled-back plans include several dozen Giant Pumpkins decorated by volunteer artists

Tue, 10/05/2021 - 8:00am

Claire Sommer, Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta

The scaled-back 2021 Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta will commence this week, with the return of dozens of decorated Giant Pumpkins up and down Main St. Visitors are encouraged to view the pumpkins anytime between Oct. 9 to about Oct. 19 when the pumpkins will be removed.

The public is invited to welcome the Giant Pumpkins when they arrive Thursday, Oct. 7 in the afternoon and are placed in front of businesses up and down Main St. The “Pumpkin Deployment” is a marvel of cooperation and finesse as dozens of pumpkins are placed on pallet stands.

Over forty artists have volunteered to transform the Giant Pumpkins into creative, whimsical and enchanting designs. The artists will be at work all day Friday, Oct. 8.

Find the pumpkins and be sure you see all of them with a Pumpkin Locations map that will be available Oct. 9 on the Pumpkinfest website, Facebook, Instagram and in paper form on shuttle buses and at local businesses.

Sidewalk barriers will be put up on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 9 and taken down Monday, Oct. 11 afternoon, to give visitors more room to see the pumpkins and help traffic on Main Street continue to move safely. Crossing guards will help move visitors safely across Main Street, and visitors are reminded to use crosswalks at all times..

Remote parking will be available at Great Salt Bay school (559 Main St., Damariscotta) and Lincoln Academy (81 Academy Hill Road, Newcastle). Shuttle businesses will drop-off visitors on Water Street. The buses will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in a continuous loop on Saturday and Sunday from Lincoln Academy and Great Salt Bay School to Water St. On Saturday and Sunday, a handicapped accessible bus will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. only. Monday buses may be reduced based on visitor numbers.

A pop-up sales table for Pumpkinfest merchandise will be at the Colby and Gale service station on Main Street on Oct. 9 and Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted.

Pumpkinfest merchandise is also available for purchase locally at Main Street Grocery, Supplies Unlimited, and Hannafords in Damariscotta, and Louis Doe Home Center in Newcastle. It can also be purchased online at DamariscottaPumpkinfest.com/Merchandise.