Who doesn't love catapulting pumpkins as hard as physically possible across an open field? Believe it or not, there's actually a festival that holds an annual competition for people to come with their own unique, massive catapulting machines and see who can heave their squashes and gourds the farthest. The pumpkin-hurling event is called the Punkin Chunkin Festival, and this year, it'll be held on Saturday, October 16, 2021.
What is the Punkin Chunkin Festival?
The annual Punkin Chunkin Fall Festival is a one-day event that's held at the scenic Bald Eagle State Park on 149 Main Park Road in Howard, Pennsylvania, and organized by the Howard Fire Company and the Clinton County Economic Partnership & Visitor's Bureau. The Howard Fire Company is a diverse, volunteer-only group of people that assist first responders when people need help. They run a fleet of 14 rescue apparatus and average about 200 calls a year, ranging from structure and wildfire protection, to other rescue services that include vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, water rescues, search details, animal rescues, and more. The Clinton County Economic Partnership & Visitor's Bureau is a private, non-profit organization that holds the Chamber of Commerce, Tourism/Visitor'sBureau, and Commercial and Industrial Development activities in Clinton County.
RELATED: New York's Bear Mountain Is Gorgeous Any Time of Year
From 10:00am-5:00pm, the Punkin Chunkin event will not only feature the most magnificent, gigantic, machine pumpkin chunkers, ranging from catapults, trebuchets, and air cannons, but will also include local craft vendors, local food vendors, hayrides, children's games and activities, a farmer's market, and a pumpkin pie eating contest. The event will even have smaller trebuchets to use as launchers for the public to also take part in firing pumpkins into the nearby lake.
And the best part? The festival is completely free. Any donations that the attendees choose to contribute will go to supporting Howard Volunteer Fire Company 14, helping them fund the incredible support they give to the community. This event is also not to be confused with the World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association that is normally held in Rantoul, Illinois. That festival unfortunately is still looking for new home grounds, which many hope that it will return to Delaware.
The World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association
If you would like to learn more about how you can participate as a sponsor, vendor, or competitor, head to their website or Facebook page to find more information. Otherwise, grab your jack o' lanterns and come partake in the fun with some good ol' pumpkin launching.
Have you ever propelled pumpkins from a device during a Punkin Chunkin Festival? Share your experience with us on our Wide Open Roads Facebook!
