VOLUNTEER
Volunteers Welcome!
Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta is an all-volunteer-run festival that brings the communities of Damariscotta and Newcastle together every October.
Fill out our Volunteer Interest Form below & let us know which activities you want to help with!
Hankering to get involved, but not sure how you want to help?
Review the handy Volunteer Guide below to learn more about the different opportunities to support Pumpkinfest!
From deploying the giant pumpkins to all the storefronts, to supporting parade, to the Pumpkinboat Regatta and all of the other fantastic events going on all weekend, contact us to lend a hand and join our crew in the fun! Any additional questions can be sent to volunteer@damariscottapumpkinfest.com
Volunteer Guide
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Seedling Sunday - Seed planting (May 5th & 12th)
Get your hands dirty! Assist in the planting of hundreds of giant pumpkin seeds that will be given away on Seedling Sunday.
Seedling Sunday - Seedling distribution (May 18th, 2025)
Enjoy a lovely spring day helping distribute hundreds of giant pumpkin seedlings to community growers
Volunteer Growers Pumpkin Weigh-Off (October 4th, 2025)
Help set-up the weigh off area, direct traffic, organize participants, load giant pumpkins onto the scale, or operate forklifts to weigh pumpkins.
Professional Growers Pumpkin Weigh-Off (October 5th, 2025)
Help set-up the weigh-off area, direct traffic, organize participants, load giant pumpkins onto the scale, or operate forklifts to weigh pumpkins.
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Pumpkinboat Building (October 9 - 11, 2025)
Bring your nautical knowledge to life helping construct boats out of the giant pumpkins that will be used to race in the Regatta!
Skilled carpenters are needed for construction of motorboat decks.
Performance Arts & Buskers (October 11 – 13, 2025)
Singers, dancers, musicians, comedians, magicians and performers of all kinds are encouraged to audition to perform during Pumpkinfest.
Pumpkin Artists (October 10-11, 2025)
A highlight of the festival is the decorated pumpkins lining Main Street in Damariscotta. Volunteer to bring your pumpkin vision to life!
Parade Performers (October 11th, 2025)
High energy bands, floats, dancers, community organizations and performers bring Main Street in Damariscotta to life!
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Pumpkin Deployment in Downtown Damariscotta (October 8-9, 2025)
Help coordinate the ballet of placing dozens of giant pumpkins in downtown Damariscotta. This can be a physically strenuous job.
Parade Support (October 11, 2025)
Help organize the parade participants and ensure the parade runs smoothly.
First Aid/Safety for all events (October 4 – October 13, 2025)
Volunteers interested in providing event safety, traffic support, first-aid, etc.
KidsZone Activities for Children (October 11-123, 2025)
If you love bringing smiles to children’s faces, this is the volunteer gig for you! Help organize and run activities/games.
Transportation / Shuttle Bus Greeters (October 11-13, 2025)
Guide visitors using the shuttle buses.
Cotton Candy - Operations and Sales (October 11-13, 2025)
The stickiest job at Pumpkinfest! This is a particularly fun job for groups of two or three friends to run the cotton candy machine and sell clouds of sugary joy to the crowds.
Pumpkinfest Derby Support (October 11-12, 2025)
Help build pumpkin racing cars, or help with the logistics of the Derby!
Pumpkinfest Regatta Racing Participant (October 12, 2025)
Racing spots are limited, but please express your interest. Must be okay with the possibility of taking a chilly swim! All regatta participants must sign an additional participation waiver.
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Merchandise Sales (October 4-5 during weight-offs)October 11-13, 2025 Downtown)
Sell Pumpkinfest merchandise during the festival.
InfoZone for Non-Profits (October 11-12, 2025)
Support an info booth or help coordinate the booths of other non-profits.
Photography/Media – (Varies)
All interested photographers are welcome!
Behind-the-scenes Pumpkinfest Magic / Administrative Tasks - (Varies)
Can’t get enough of Pumpkinfest? Let us know if you are interested in becoming a year-round volunteer!