October 16, 2009
 
Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off and Regatta is Oct. 17, 18
By SARAH LEBRUN

GOFFSTOWN - Giant pumpkins return to Goffstown on Oct. 17 and 18 for the annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off and Regatta. According to Robbie Grady, Goffstown Main Street director, more than 5,000 people attend this event annually.

The weekend is packed with various events, including a giant pumpkin weigh-off, pumpkin catapulting, live entertainment, pumpkin decorating, and of course, the giant pumpkin regatta.

Last year’s weigh-off winner was Geoff Peirce of New Boston, with a pumpkin weighing in at 1,295 pounds.

“The giant pumpkin growers have had kind of an iffy year (this year) because of the rain in June,” said Grady. “But the end of the season turned bookout well for them.”

Each year, giant pumpkin growers also donate gourds to the Main Street program for the regatta.

“It’s very generous of them to give us pumpkins,” said Grady. “We sure to appreciate it.”

Last year’s regatta winner was Chief Patrick Sullivan of the Goffstown Police Department, who will defend his title in this year’s contest.

Sullivan said his strategy for winning the race was speed. “You have to keep your eye on the prize first,” said Sullivan, “then go back and fight the water fight.”

Sullivan was also confident he would win the race again this year. “You would think the fire chief would have a better chance (of winning) with the water he deals with all the time, but he’s not so good with the water,” Sullivan laughed. “I’ll win!”

Besides the Police Department, other regatta partcipants include Rob Bennett of Neighborhood News, Chief Richard O’Brien of the Goffstown Fire Department, selectmen Chairman Scott Gross of the Goffstown Board of Selectmen, Main Street President Karen Henderson, Kimberly Peace of the Goffstown Conservation Commission, Mike French of the Rotary, Brian Hanson of Granite State Environmental, Mike Lee of Mountain View Middle School and Lori Davis of the Goffstown Lions Club.

Other events this year include a New England Patriots cheerleaders meet and greet at NY Pizza and Calzones, where Patriots cheerleaders will sell and sign their calendars.

Goffstown Main Street will also offer free pumpkin masks at the Main Street booth. Attendees will be able to take their masks to various places around the village will they will be able to decorate it.

Goffstown’s Great Talent is also back for its second year of competition. Those wishing to compete may sign up until 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Main Street booth.

There will also be a raffle for a quilt made by Marion Hooper of Goffstown. People can buy tickets at the Art Happens booth near Town Hall for $1.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Saturday:

• 8 a.m. – Flea Market at St. Matthew’s Church
• 9 a.m. – Giant pumpkins arrive on the common, booths open, art show-off at Town Hall, art and flowers at Apotheca
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Art Happens on Main Street
• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Open House at Masonic Lodge on Mountain Road
• 10 to 10:30 a.m. – Doggie costume contest at Glen Lake Animal Hospital
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – pumpkin painting at Ace Hardware, holiday decoration close-out sale at the vestree
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Fire station open house
• 11 a.m. – NHGPGA State Weigh-off on the common, Main Street chicken barbecue on Mill Street
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Pumpkin cook-off drop-off at popcorn stand
• Noon – Announcement of prince and princess on the common, concert featuring Jim West at Relevant Church on Depot Street
• Noon to 4 p.m. – Live music by John Erlman at NY Pizza, pumpkin catapults on Mill Street
• Noon to 2 p.m. – pumpkin carving at Patrick’s Country Restaurant on High Street
• 1 to 2 p.m. – Meet the artists at Town Hall
• 1 p.m. – Concert featuring Terry Barton at Relevant Church on Depot Street
• 1:30 p.m. – Pumpkin seed spitting contest on the common, cook-off tasting at the popcorn stand
• 2 p.m. – Giant pumpkin boat building on Mill Street, concert featuring Paul Lavoie at Relevant Church on Depot Street
• 2:30 p.m. – Goffstown’s Great Talent on the common
• 3 p.m. – Concert featuring Paul Nelson and Ed Karjala at Relevant Church on Depot Street
• 4 p.m. – Concert featuring Dan and Jeni Klardie at Relevant Church on Depot Street
• 5 p.m. – Booths close
• 5 to 8 p.m. – Turkey dinner at Goffstown Historical Society on Parker Station Road – tickets required

Sunday:

• Noon – Giant pumpkin drop on Church Street, booths open
• Noon to 3 p.m. – Pumpkin games on the common, art show-off at Town Hall
• 12:15 p.m. – Pumpkin catapult finals on Mill Street
• 1 p.m. – Shopping cart race on Mill Street
• 1:30 p.m. – Pie-eating contest on the common – pre-register at Main Street booth
• 2 p.m. – Mini-pumpkin race on Mill Street – buy your tickets at Main Street booth
• 2:15 p.m. – Little red wagon kids race on Mill Street
• 2:45 p.m. – Arrival of pumpkin prince and princess
• 3 p.m. – Giant pumpkin regatta