/ / / / /

Plan for Air-Powered Cannons and Trebuchets at Delaware's 'Punkin Chunkin'

October 13, 2011 at 10:01 AM | by | Comments (0)

There’s only a few weeks until we discover who will be crowned this year’s lord of the gourd, as the World Championship Punkin Chunkin competition is set to hit the skies from November 4-6. Each year there are more and more pumpkins serving as projectiles—as well as machinery dedicated to launching the orange orbs—so this might be the best year yet.

Unfortunately registration to launch your own pumpkin is now closed, but that’s fine with us as it’s probably better to just enjoy being a spectator. The main events take place where they always do—Bridgeville, Delaware—and the fun starts each day at around 7:30am. There’s live music, fireworks, and even a chili cook-off, but obviously the main attraction are the weapons of mass pumpkin destruction.

There are different categories and styles of pumpkin launchers. Trebuchet technology, catapults, and human powered devices are all on display; however, the biggest and baddest are the air-powered pumpkin cannons. Back in 2008 the world record was set by one of these devices when a poor little pumpkin was fired 4,483-feet into the air and across an open field.

Even though the air cannons might hog a little bit of the spotlight, the other equipment on display isn’t too shabby. The trebuchets and catapults have easily sent some of the unlucky pumpkins over 2,000-feet. It might even be more enjoyable to watch these pumpkin chuckers, as you can probably still follow the pumpkin trajectory with the naked eye.

Tickets to this year’s fun are only $10 per person—and that includes parking—but your ticket is only good for the day you’re planning to attend. If you’re really hardcore about checking out all that goes into the punkin chunkin there’s even an opportunity to camp right in the field, but just be sure you’re up early to avoid getting nailed in the head by an errant gourd.

[Photos: autiscy]

Comments (0)

Post a Comment

Return to » Plan for Air-Powered Cannons and Trebuchets at Delaware's 'Punkin Chunkin'

Join the conversation!

Not a member? .
Use of this Site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (effective 3/21/12) and Privacy Policy (effective 3/21/12). © Condé Nast. Your California Privacy Rights. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast.
Ad Choices