Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta Offers $10,000 Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off Purse
Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta will host the 2nd Annual Damariscotta Pumpkinfest Weigh-Off on Sunday, October 3, 2010, at Pinkham’s Plantation, 431 Biscay Road, Damariscotta, Maine. Masters of Ceremonies for the Weigh-Off will be WGME 13 Chief Meteorologist and giant pumpkin grower Charlie Lopresti and fellow WGME13 Meteorologist Sarah Long.
This weigh-off is sanctioned by the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth (GPC). The weigh-off is open to resident and non-resident growers in both adult and children (growers between 8 and 16 years) classes. Pumpkin drop-off will be between the hours of 7AM and 10AM on October 3, with the weigh-off beginning promptly at 10AM.
Cash premiums will be paid to 1st thru 10th places in Adult Giant Pumpkin, Adult Giant Squash, Children’s Giant Pumpkin and Children’s Giant Squash classes. First place in the Adult Giant Pumpkin class will pay $2,500, with a second place premium of $1,300, and third place paying $750. First place in the Adult Giant Squash class will pay $1,000, with a second place premium of $500, and third place paying $250.
The total weigh-off purse will be $10,000. It is required that the top five fruits in each category remain at the weigh-off site for display during Damariscotta Pumpkinfest from October 3 through 10. Pumpkin pick-up will be on Sunday, October 10 between the hours of 3PM and 4PM.
Damariscotta Pumpkinfest Weigh-Off Premium Schedule
|
Place |
Adult Giant Pumpkin |
Adult Giant Squash |
Children’s Giant Pumpkin |
Children’s Giant Squash |
|
1 |
$2,500 |
$1,000 |
$300 |
$300 |
|
2 |
$1,300 |
$500 |
$200 |
$200 |
|
3 |
$750 |
$200 |
$150 |
$150 |
|
4 |
$500 |
$150 |
$100 |
$100 |
|
5 |
$250 |
$100 |
$85 |
$85 |
|
6 |
$100 |
$85 |
$70 |
$70 |
|
7 |
$75 |
$70 |
$55 |
$55 |
|
8 |
$55 |
$55 |
$45 |
$45 |
|
9 |
$40 |
$40 |
$35 |
$35 |
|
10 |
$25 |
$25 |
$25 |
$25 |
In addition to the sanctioned GPC weigh-off, a Damariscotta Pumpkinfest Volunteer Growers’ weigh-off will also be held on October 3, 2010. This special weigh-off is open to all growers who picked up free “Pumpkinfest Plantlets” at Pinkham’s Plantation in the spring and wish to weigh their grown pumpkins. Prizes and gift certificates will be awarded on a “pick your prize” basis while prizes last.
Volunteer growers are strongly encouraged to “volunteer” their pumpkins for sculpting, carving, painting or boat building at the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta. Volunteer growers may participate in the sanctioned GPC weigh-off instead of the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest Volunteer Growers weigh-off if they so choose.
Questions on the weigh-off should be sent to info@damariscottapumpkinfest.com. Details about all Pumpkinfest events may be found at www.damariscottapumpkinfest.com.
Elroy Morgan and his wife Missy with last year’s Maine giant pumpkin record holder – weighing in at 1,210 pounds – at the 2009 Damariscotta Pumpkinfest Weigh-In.
