Every year, the town of Damariscotta in Maine has a special festival. The biggest event is a boat race. But the boats are not normal. They are made from giant pumpkins! Farmers grow very big pumpkins all summer. Then, they cut them open and take out the seeds.
The pumpkin boats go into the Damariscotta River. People get inside the pumpkins. They use a paddle to move in the water. The boats are very slow and hard to steer. Everyone laughs and cheers from the shore.
Sometimes, a pumpkin boat fills with water. It can sink to the bottom of the river! The person inside gets very wet, but they are safe. It is part of the fun. The race is not about winning.
The festival is a happy day for the whole town. It is a tradition that everyone loves. People come to watch the funny race and celebrate the harvest together. It shows the strong spirit of the community.