Several hundred turned out in the rain, sleet and, yes, even snow, to witness Goffstown’s annual Giant Pumpkin Regatta on the Piscataquog River on Sunday, Oct. 18.

“Everyone seems to be having fun,” said Robbie Grady, executive director of the Goffstown Main Street Program, which runs the weekend-long event in which townspeople convert giant pumpkins into theme-decorated boats and race them down the river. It certainly wasn’t ideal weather, but it could’ve been worse, she pointed out. “We could be standing in a foot of snow!” She laughed.

On the other hand, Saturday was a beautiful fall day and attracted approximately 1,000 more than did the previous year, said Grady, estimating approximately 3,400 in attendance at the height of the afternoon. Perhaps people had heard Sunday’s dismal forecast and brought their families out on Saturday instead, some speculated.

The weekend’s events began Saturday with the arrival of the giant pumpkins on the common, donated by the area’s giant pumpkin growers. Scores of other activities followed, such as pumpkin painting, a pumpkin cook-off, live music, food, pumpkin catapulting, a pumpkin seed spitting contest and booths from many local organizations.

The highlight and culmination of the weekend is the annual regatta. In the past, as many as 5,000 people have turned out for this bizarre but fun event that attracts people from all over New Hampshire and even from some neighboring states.

After the boom of the cannon at 3 p.m. on Sunday, the pumpkin boats took off. Warmly dressed spectators lined both sides of the bridge over the river, several holding umbrellas, bundled-up children and hot coffee or cocoa.

Bruce Normand, who chairs the promotion team for the weekend, helped launch all the boats.

He also helped with general organization of the activities that include the scooping-out and other preparations of the pumpkins on Saturday afternoon.

This year, Lori Davis from the Goffstown Lions Club took first place in her black Catwoman boat. Pam Young (Fahey), of The Goffstown News, took second place with her bright yellow duck and two ducklings trailing behind. She was followed closely by Fire Chief Richard O’Brien.

The giant “pumpkin-eater” boat made an appearance, drenching several of the boat captains and generating cheers from the crowd along the riverbank.