Pumpkinfest Parade

In a few short weeks, the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest and Regatta will get underway, bringing with it giant pumpkins, tasty food, and the Pumpkinfest parade.

Lineup will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12 at Louis Doe Home Center, 92 Mills Road, Newcastle, before the parade gets underway at 2 p.m. Like most parades in the Twin Villages, the route will start on Mills Road in Newcastle, travel down Main Street, and conclude at the intersection with Bristol Road in Damariscotta.

The parade grand marshal for the year is Lincoln Academy.

Participants include the four Kora Shrine units, marching and float-based bands, as well as many local businesses and emergency services.

Information and Safety Policy

To be allowed to participate in the family-oriented Damariscotta Pumpkinfest™  Giant Pumpkin Parade, it is mandatory that every unit must submit a completed & signed “Parade Application and Waiver” before Friday, October 11, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. to Mark Doe, Parade Chairman (via the application below or email at parade@damariscottapumpkinfest.com or mail to address below)

The applications will be vetted by DPD/LCSO to ensure driver’s licenses are valid.  Unacceptable applicants will be notified by email, and any decision of Damariscotta Pumpkinfest™  to disallow a unit is binding and final.  Any violation of the safety procedures will result in the unit not being permitted to participate in future Damariscotta Pumpkinfest™ Giant Pumpkin Parades.

The following activities are strictly prohibited:

  • Entries which are political, religious, controversial or vulgar (Pumpkinfest’s decision is binding.)

  • Items of any kind (including candy, water, silly string, coupons, promotional materials, etc.) tossed at the parade spectators from any moving float/vehicle (constitutes a safety violation)

  • Fundraising of any kind

  • Drinking alcohol, smoking or use of controlled substances, and glass containers of any kind

  • Sirens, fireworks or pyrotechnics of any kind 

  • Promotion of any kind (including business advertising & non-profit awareness), other than a sign identifying the unit’s sponsor or organization   


The following safety procedures must be observed without exception:

  • Riders must be either secured or positioned so they cannot fall from floats or off moving vehicles 

  • Walkers must be kept at a safe distance (25’ or more) from moving vehicles and have good visibility in costume, and all animals must be under firm control by their riders/handlers  

  • Animals must be followed by unit-member with shovel & bucket to immediately clean up

  • Youth participants must be supervised by an adult 

  • Each float must consist of no more than one vehicle pulling one trailer (insured), and all drivers must be over age 18 and validly licensed & currently insured – drivers must have clear visibility & maintain a distance of 25’ or more between vehicles & walkers at all times.

  • Ultimate responsibility for safety lies with each parade unit, which must implement relevant government regulations, safety codes, manufacturer’s recommendations, etc. to operate safely

  • Participants are to move to the RIGHT SIDE OF MAIN STREET if emergency vehicle is passing  

Please submit your unit’s completed and signed Parade Application & Waiver to:

Mark Doe, Parade Chairman, Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta™ - 2024

P.O. Box 1101, Damariscotta, ME 04543-1101

parade@damariscottapumpkinfest.com 

207-563-5442 (o) / 207-592-1249 (cell)