Here’s something different: The Annual Pumpkin Regatta in Damariscotta, Maine, where racers paddle of power their super-sized, hollowed-out pumpkins around the harbor. Buzz Pinkham, who co-founded the regatta in 2007, won the powerboat division (as opposed to the paddleboat division), this year; see his picture above.
The Regatta is part of the annual Damariscotta Pumpkinfest held over Columbus Day weekend. Up to 15,000 people attend each year. On land, Ed Pierpont set a new state record at the annual weigh-in with his 1,832-pound pumpkin.
On the water, the regatta is held at high tide, and the only rule is that there are no rules, except that the pumpkin needs to float. Boats in the powerboat division had 5- to 10-hp outboards. In the spirit of the event, Pinkham said it’s the height of absurdity, but it captures your imagination.
The races this year had several heats, including individual, team and newscaster in the paddleboat division. Over the years, the regatta has gained a lot of media attention, including coverage from Lester Holt on NBC (see the video, below), the Discovery Channel and the CBS Sunday Morning News.
