Maine Comes to Life During the Fall: Eight Highlights of Two Fall Festivals

The stunning colors of the fall foliage are the first thing many people think of when someone mentions autumn in New England. The changing leaves truly are amazing and there are maps available to help travelers plan their visit based on peak leaf-viewing times. But the leaves are not the only reason to plan a fall Maine getaway. The Fall Foliage Festival at the Boothbay Railway Village Museum and the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest and Regatta are two annual events that attract visitors and locals alike. This year, the two events are scheduled over the same weekend so you can get a taste of both. Need help deciding how to fit both festivals into your schedule? Check out these highlights from each to help you make a plan.

Fall Foliage Festival – October 7 & 8, 2023

1. 2023 is the 55^th year for the Fall Foliage Festival. A festival that has lasted more than half a century must be amazing. People come back year after year for this crowd favorite.
2. The festival costs only $5 to attend. Children under age five are free. This fee is a discount from the normal cost to visit the Boothbay Railway Village Museum.
3. The setting for the festival is the Boothbay Railway Village Museum which boasts historic Maine buildings and interesting exhibits. It is considered a true vintage experience.
4. You can ride a old-fashioned train around the village grounds. The train is pulled by a 100-year-old steam locomotive. Tickets for train rides cost $5 during the festival. Rides depart on the hour beginning at 11am. If you cannot get enough of trains, there is also a model railroad with 600 feet of track.
5. For more transportation fun, make time for the Antique Automobile Museum. This exhibit features more than 60 vehicles that were manufactured between 1902 and 1962.
6. Many people attend the festival to get a jump start on Christmas shopping. You are sure to find something for everyone on your list at the dozens of vendor booths. It is perfectly acceptable to purchase an early holiday gift for yourself as well.
7. There are plenty of opportunities for entertainment and live music. The entertainment schedule for 2023 has not been released yet. Check back as the festival dates get closer to see your favorite acts.
8. With the exception of specific entertainment acts, all festival activities are available for the full length of the festival. Attend anytime from 10am-5pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday to shop, visit the exhibits, ride the train, and enjoy fall food.

Damariscotta Pumpkinfest and Regatta – October 6-9, 2023

1. Travel and Leisure magazine named the pumpkinfest the “Best Fall Festival in Maine” in 2017. The festival continues to live up to that honor.
2. Watch forklifts participate in a delicate dance as they deploy giant pumpkins along Main Street in Damariscotta. This event takes place in the afternoon on Thursday, October 5 which is before the official start of the festival.
3. The festival is a treat for people who love quirky art. The gigantic pumpkins will be decorated by creative people all day Friday. The works of art will stay on display for the remainder of the festival so you can see them whenever it fits into your schedule.
4. If you love pumpkin desserts, there is a contest on Saturday from 11am to 1pm. Samples of the desserts will be available for purchase after judging is complete. Interested in entering the contest? Check out the rules and entry information here.
5. Everyone loves a parade. Find your spot along the route before the parade starts at 2pm on Saturday.
6. Move over soap box derby. Maine has a pumpkin derby where pumpkins are converted into racing vehicles. Watch the race on Sunday afternoon at 2pm.
7. If there are going to be pumpkins then there is going to be pumpkin pie. If there is going to be pie then there is going to be a pie eating contest. This time honored and silly tradition will take place on Sunday afternoon after the derby is complete.
8. Do pumpkins float? The 600-pound pumpkin boats in the regatta do. Go to the harbor to watch in person or watch the livestream from inside the warmth of the Lincoln Theater. The “extreme sport of gardening” kicks off at 9am on Monday, October 9.