The sights and sounds of fall include many things like crisp mornings, apple picking and cider season, and the leaves changing color.  Most of all, autumn makes us think "pumpkins."

The Fall Foliage Festival is just one stop along Maine’s Pumpkin Trail, a new partnership celebrating history, art and giant fruit along 50 miles of Maine’s most beautiful coastline from Bath to Rockland. Pumpkin-themed activities are taking place at the Maine Maritime Museum, Farnsworth Art Museum and Boothbay Railway Village as well as the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest and Regatta. Follow Maine’s Pumpkin Trail on Facebook to discover great ways to celebrate fall with friends and family of all ages.

People of all ages are inspired by the artistry and creativity of the giant pumpkins that are so associated with Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta. They line Main Street in Damariscotta and are placed at other businesses including the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce’s lawn.

Artist Thomas Block will carve the Boothbay Railway Village’s two homegrown Atlantic Giants live during Fall Foliage Festival this Saturday, Oct. 8. The Museum’s pumpkins were weighed during the official Volunteer Grower’s Weigh-in last weekend at Pinkham’s Plantation and tipped the scales at 548 and 606.5 pounds. 

Those who want to get involved in the pumpkin fun, might consider registering for the second annual Fall Foliage Festival Pumpkin Carving Contest this Sunday, Oct. 9. Entering the pumpkin carving contest is just a $5 fee and includes a pass for free admission to the Festival, a steam train ticket, and your 8- to 10-pound pumpkin to carve and take home. Registration forms are available on the event page on the Museum’s website. Contestants can register in advance or at the door until all pumpkins have been spoken for.

All pumpkin carving must occur onsite between 1 and 3 p.m. on Oct. 9. Contestants can use less time, starting late or finishing early. Basic tools are provided but contestants are welcome bring all of your favorite tools from home. Electricity will even be available for those who might want to bring drills, Dremels and other power tools (bring your own extension cord, too!) All ages and skill levels are welcome to enter the contest. Spectators are encouraged to come and cheer on the participants.

The judges for the contest include fiber artist Priscilla Alden and Sarah Libby of the official Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta Committee. A top secret third judge will join the group but will remain anonymous so they can’t be swayed by gifts and bribes. The judges will review all entries at 3 pm with the award announcement beginning at 3:30 p.m.

There are three categories: children, adults and professional artists. Prizes will be awarded in all categories. Maine’s Pumpkin Trail partners Maine Maritime Museum in Bath and the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland have each donated a pair of passes. Local business have contributed lots of other fabulous prizes including a gift certificate for an oil change at Hawke Motors, a $25 gift certificate to Two Salty Dogs Pet Outfitters, a bottle tote from Casual Interiors, a $25 gift certificate to Watershed Tavern, $25 gift certificate from Log Cabin Shoes, a full day of doggie day care from The Coastal Dog, as well as gifts from On Board Fabrics, Hannaford, Coastal Maine Popcorn Company, with more prizes expected to be added by the weekend.

The Festival is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $4 for adults, children under 12 and Boothbay Railway Village Museum Members are free. Steam train tickets are an additional $5 each (free for Museum Members.)  Parking is free both in the Museum’s main parking lots and the special event parking lot across Route 27 next to T & D Variety. 

Contact the Boothbay Railway Village for more information at (207) 633-4727, or online at www.railwayvillage.org.  The Boothbay Railway Village is located at 586 Wiscasset Road, Route 27 in Boothbay.