Eyes to the Sky - 20th Annual Punkin Chunkin Contest

All eyes face skyward as the pumpkins launch with dizzying speeds from pneumatic air cannons, catapults, trebuchets, mechanical rigs and other man-made contraptions. Pull out your blankets and chairs and watch men and women prove they are the best at heaving pumpkins across the skies. Who will take the prize this year with pumpkins that soar over a mile (5280 feet)?

The prizes go to the creative inventors who launch their pumpkins the farthest distance without using chemicals, batteries or electricity. Ego, will and skill come together to launch these unfortunate passengers. Dwarf, firm pumpkins are ideal candidates. The best chunkers are the white, home-grown pumpkin variety. If the unfortunate pumpkin breaks during the course of the chunk, it gets disqualified. OUCH! Now that's a double whammy!

How it all Started

On the first weekend in November of 1986, Bill Thompson, Trey Melson, John Ellsworth and Chuck and Darryl Burton met on Thompson's farm, outside of Milton, Delaware, with their punkin chunkin inventions. Chunkin machines sure have changed! Ellsworth's chunker was a combination of pulleys, tubes and ropes. Burton's chunkin machine was a wooden pole mounted on a trailer, powered by auto springs. Thompson and Melson's chunker was garage doors springs connected to a car frame.

Let the Ceremonies Begin!

Last years event drew more than 20,000 people. A total of 72 teams competed. Ticket sales and associated revenues grossed more than $100,000. More than $70,000 will be distributed in scholarships to a variety of community organizations.
The three-day field party contest is held the first weekend in November. Punkin Chunkin contests are held in various towns throughout the country. The winners of these contests are invited to the World Champsionship Punkin Chunkin contest. The World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association opens the gates on Friday, November 3, 2006 at 7:30 AM in Millsboro, Delaware. Get an eary start on Saturday when the air cannons first fire at 8:00 AM.

Be in the field for opening remarks at on Friday, at 10:00 AM following by Cathy Gorman singing the National Anthem and Dawn Thompson singing the Punkin Chunkin Anthem. The fun continues when the firing lines start with the youth machine and the air cannons beginning to shoot at 11:AM on Friday and Sunday. Be sure to catch the free for all firings beginning at 2:30 PM.

Denielle Peck on the stage at 7:30 PM is followed by The Marshall Tucker Band at 9:00 PM. Gates for the concert open at 6:00 PM. Tickets for the concert includes a day pass for the Chunk on Friday.

On Saturday at 11:00 AM the Cooking Contest begins. Bring your dollars for the auction of backed goods for charity. Get up close to the chunkin machines at 4:00 PM on Saturday. Hang out for the fireworks at dusk.

Warm your innards on Sunday at 11:00 AM at the Chili Cookoff. A wide selection of foods and beverages will be on sale, excluding alcoholic beverages.

For the complete schedule, visit http://www.punkinchunkin.com/schedule.htm. For complete punkin chunkin rules, visit http://www.punkinchunkin.com/rules.htm.

The annual punkin chunkin event is held in Millsboro, Delaware, at the intersection of routes 305 and 306. Admission is $7 per person and $2 for parking. Be sure to take your blankets and chairs.

For more information:
World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association
PO Box 217
Nassau, DE 19969
302-684-8196
punkassoc@gmail.com
For a count down timer to the next World Championship Punkin Chunkin, visit http://www.punkinchunkin.com/.