HOW FAR CAN YOU TOSS A PUMKIN?

Bridgeville, Delaware, November 4, 2011

Over 130 contraptions lined up for three quarters of a mile have one singular purpose. They are all designed to toss pumpkins!

We watched one human-powered pumpkin slinger toss a pumpkin over 3,600 feet, but the sponsors hoped to break a mile during the three day affair.

"Punkin Chunkin" is an annual event since the mid sixties, and it was expected to draw a crowd of more than 100,000 this year.

As a novice, it appeared to me that there are catapults, sling shots, air and propane powered machines. The ingenuity behind these marvelous inventions is impressive. And, as with NASCAR and other major sporting events, some participants spare no cash to get results!

Friday was an overcast day, cool and windy. Not ideal conditions,
but good for practice shooting. The major competition and World
Championship were to follow on Saturday and Sunday.

Just part of the smaller machines

After each shot, 4-wheelers race out to measure the distance.



Crowds were smaller on Friday, but there was plenty to see and eat.

TV crew uses a mobile boom for its camera.



There were special classes for youth.



Boy's toys can get pretty elaborate!





Most guns had original names, this team chose an old familiar one!





Some camped while others RVed.





A pumpkin is loaded and ready to fly.





Whipper Snapper's trial pumpkin burst apart. We heard that
most pumpkins are frozen!



As in most sports, some like to dress appropriately for the occasion.









The red dump truck has a special job...

...to protect spectators in event of a backfire.
That baby spins so fast it whistles!

Three compression chanbers for one barrel!

This last machine looks rather harmless, but we watched it toss
a pumpkin 3,600 feet and it is 100% human-powered!

You don't want to miss this show!