'Pirate Rendezvous' Returned June 11 - Benefits Local Children
From recent press release: Folks should take care to keep a keen eye to seaward on Sat., June 11, when a crew of pirates will be invading Damariscotta, with the dual purpose of finding their lost treasure and helping to avoid the shortage of gifts and food experienced by Lincoln County Family Holiday Wishes this past Christmas season.
The "Pirate Rendezvous", now in it's 4th year, features the Mystic Pirates of the Damariscotta taking over the town at noon and remaining until 4 p.m., when they will fade back into history.
Events will include the pirates arriving by boat, "rampaging" through a Pirate Bazaar at Schooner Landing, and then "pillaging" the in-town area.
A Pirate Bazaar located at the riverside Schooner Landing Restaurant & Marina will feature themed retail stands and daylong music and entertainment. Children will be able to enjoy a variety of games at the Kid's Pirate Camp on Water Street. Both of these venues open at 10 a.m. A Buccaneer Breakfast hosted by the Damariscotta Baptist Church will open up at 8 a.m. to ensure that the pirates and the public are well fed and ready for the big day.
Businesses and restaurants throughout in-town Damariscotta and Newcastle will also be in on the fun, with pirate themed specials and décor.
When the pirates invade at high noon, children will be invited to participate in the defense of the town. Once the pirates have invaded and convinced all the townfolk and children to seek the riches of the lost treasure, the children will be involved in a day-long drama to find the hidden plunder that will include a Crew Muster and Pirate Costume Contest, and a Treasure Hunt that will take the children through businesses of the in-town area as they search for the Lost Treasure of the Mystic Pirates.
Proceeds from the Pirate Rendezvous will go to Lincoln County Family Holiday Wishes, which benefited over 500 children in 2010 with Christmas dinners and gifts. Many area residents are familiar with Family Holiday Wishes through the pink and blue Wish Tags they distribute each year, with each tag representing the hopeful wish of a local child in need.
For more information on the Pirate Rendezvous, and great photos from past invasions, check www.piraterendezvous.com or contact Greg Latimer (the pirate "Scribe") at 207-380-9912 or piraterendezvous@yahoo.com.
Pemaquid Oyster Festival Set for Sun., Sept. 25, Seeking Sponsors and Volunteers
The Pemaquid Oyster Festival, Damariscotta's annual celebration of the working waterfront, marine conservation, and the Pemaquid oyster, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary Sun., Sept. 25 from noon to dusk. The popular event is an important fundraiser for the Edward A. Myers Marine Conservation Fund.
As always, the Pemaquid Oyster Festival will feature a great line-up of entertainment, food, educational exhibits and thousands of oysters fresh from the Damariscotta River. (There is also a menu with plenty of choices other than oysters!) The festival is held right on the banks of the Damariscotta River at Schooner Landing Restaurant & Marina on Main St. in Damariscotta, and includes other Main St. businesses. Last year over 10,000 oysters were served at the Pemaquid Oyster Festival.
While the event is held outdoors on Schooner Landing's riverside deck, there are tents to cover the educational exhibits, entertainment stage, and other locations so that the Pemaquid Oyster Festival can be held rain or shine.
The Pemaquid Oyster Festival is the primary fundraiser for the Edward A. Myers Marine Conservation Fund. The fund is named after Edward Myers, a Walpole resident who pioneered aquaculture in the Damariscotta River and many other areas.
"This fund is intended to continue Edward Myers' vision of having a sustainable working waterfront as well as protecting our marine environment; implemented through education and research projects with a focus on marine conservation," said Chris Davis of the Pemaquid Oyster Company.
Since the first Pemaquid Oyster Festival in 2001, the event has been hosted by the Pemaquid Oyster Co. and Schooner Landing. Both of these hosts contribute all of their profits from the day to the Edward A. Myers Marine Conservation Fund. The fundraising efforts of these hosts are supported by sponsors that help cover expenses including entertainment, tents, and fuel for the boat rides.
The generous sponsors last year were The First, Damariscotta Bank & Trust, Renys, Yankee Pride Transport, Narragansett Leathers, Mexicali Blues, Colby & Gale, Aw Shucks! Oyster Shucker, Healthy Kids! and The Lincoln County News. Additional sponsors are sought to help with the 2010 festival.
The Pemaquid Oyster Festival is also seeking volunteers to fill a variety of positions. Some of the activities volunteers will be needed for include: stage management, festival set-up and take-down, boat deck hands, boat ride gate management, oyster shucking, general assistance on the food line, and contest management.
For more information on volunteer work or sponsorships please contact Greg Latimer at 207-380-9912 or pemaquidoysterfest2010@yahoo.com.
Pemaquid Oyster Festival -- Sun., Sept. 25
The Jason Spooner Trio comes to Oysterfest!
Pemaquid Oyster Festival is now in its 10th year as an annual celebration of the working waterfront and the Damariscotta River where the Pemaquid oyster is farmed. Last year over 13,000 oysters were served at the event, which benefits the Edward A. Myers Marine Conservation Fund. The celebration includes music, educational exhibits, boat rides, and lots of oysters harvested fresh from the Damariscotta River that morning. (There is also a menu with lots of choices other than oysters!) The event is free of charge and takes place from noon to dusk right on the shore of the Damariscotta River at historic Schooner Landing Restaurant and Marina on Main St. in Damariscotta and at near-by businesses. For more information, please contact Greg Latimer at 207-380-9912.
2011 Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta, October 1st -11th
A fun-packed week of events include the a pumpkin paddle boat relay and pumpkin motor boat regatta, the officially-sanctioned GPC giant pumpkin weigh-off, pumpkin catapulting, pumpkin hurling by a USA-record holder, The Big 10-Inch from Pennsylvania and the scrappy New Hampshire challengers, The American Chunkers. Photos, videos, and other details available at www.damariscottapumpkinfest.com. There is a giant pumpkin parade, first annual pumpkin derby, two dozen giant 600-pound decorated pumpkins lining Damariscotta's main street, children's activities, a pumpkin dessert contest, pie eating competition, a giant pumpkin drop (in 2010, two double-decked cars were the target from 200 feet!) and more.
