October is my favorite month of the year. The skies are blue, the weather generally dry and colors are all over Maine. There are four zones for leaf peeping, so for an entire month you can drive 1 - 3 hours in different directions and take it all in. Warm days and cool nights, you know that the seasons are changing. But, my favorite part of the month involves pumpkins and Halloween.

In 1998 we ran a story on growing Giant Pumpkins. Two years ago we highlighted the Giant Pumpkin Regatta in Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada. Last year, I hauled a 687lb monster to Canada and used it as my floating vessel. Ok, I didn’t win the race (not even close) but I had a blast. It was a learning experience, 18 years teaching canoeing did not prepare me for this ride..

I didn’t exactly “conquer” Canada, but this year I am attending the Giant Pumpkin Regatta in Damariscotta, Maine on Columbus Day. It is only the 2nd (annual) year and rather than paddling across Lake Pezaquid, I’ll float on Damariscotta River. As with last year, I have no idea how I’ll do or why I am doing it. Maybe it is something to tell the grandkids some day? My personal grower , Al Berard, is offering me a “small” 435 pumpkin or a monster 735 pounder. So, my first decision will be which vessel to pick and then how to decorate it. It will probably look like a floating cow. Do I go light or have something that can sink any other boat I might ram??

The “race” is on Columbus Day… so more to come. Below is a photo of me in last year’s race. Think I should have trained a little harder.

I’ll talk about what I do for Halloween later in the month. But, I spend more money on this day than Christmas… so it is big!!

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