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| All are welcome. |
The Midwest, along with the rest of the world, has an event approaching in the first days of November: Pumpkin Chunkin'. I have to believe this event arose from leftover Halloween pumpkins to Medieval ages. Maybe or maybe not, Pumpkin Chunkin' has evolved from simple to complicated.
Here is an official statement from the WCPCA:
The World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association (WCPCA) is a trademark nonprofit that raises money for scholarships, as well as organizations that benefit youth and the local community.
We host a signature pumpkin-launching event each year, fueling innovative engineering and science-based ideas that draw spectators from all over.
We believe that Punkin Chunkin cultivates the odd, challenging, and competitive quest for distance that inspires creativity, ingenuity, teamwork, and passion.
It is this very dedication that drives teams to compete using science and engineering skills and brings spectators to the gate which allows us to continue our never ending thirst to support our scholarship and charitable programs.
YouTube, about 3 minutes long
There are several divisions from historically accurate to serious military grade.
The passion is the same, love for the event is palpable, and enthusiasm seeps through the attendees.
The above YouTube shows the divisions and constructions. The one below sticks to traditionally accurate 1,000 years ago trebuchet:
About 6 minutes long, skip ahead.
Despite all the mechanics that can overshadow the joy of finding a pumpkin in the field, we look at those faces and hear "Over there! That's the one I want!"
People will do just about anything to amuse themselves. Here in NW Florida/ Lower Alabama there's an event called a Mullet Toss. You got it! They toss fish. So yes, people will toss anything. one last thing...that little girl selecting a pumpkin looks determined. She knows what she wants!
ReplyDeleteMullet Toss! What a hoot!
DeleteWe have the annual Tuna Throwing here in SA.
DeleteA tuna? Tuna's are huge! Do giants live in SA?
DeleteIt's great fun to see what contraptions people come up with to chunk a punkin.
ReplyDeletePeople (mostly men, I think) like a challenge.
DeleteEverybody just wants to have fun. This time of year has many festivals and events, and boy, don’t we all need an escape from what is really bizarre, aka, real life.
ReplyDeleteOh, we do.
DeletePeople can chunk their own punkins to their heart's content. Good for them! I draw the line at ne'er-do-wells who smash porch pumpkins of folks who'd rather they sit there until they decompose and collapse, making different faces from the ones originally carved.
ReplyDeleteOooo, how I hate that. Seeing all that goo and stuff scattered on the roads and porches is enough for one night.
DeleteGreat cause - and if chunkin pumpkin gets more money in all I can say is go for it.
ReplyDeleteNice to see how it all evolved, isn't it.
DeleteThis was interesting. Although I am very familiar with cow pie tosses, I've never heard of chunkin pumpkins. This was quite enlightening and informative.
ReplyDeleteI have been deeply embedded in the cow patty culture. But the punkin chunkin' could be in my future.
DeleteForgot to mention that last year I visited a pumpkin patch and all the vines were dead. All you saw in the fields were pumpkins and dead shriveled up vines. Nothing like in the photo.
ReplyDeleteMost of the patches I have visited are a mixture of both.
DeleteWhen is someone going to stand up for the rights of these poor pumpkins?
ReplyDeleteMaybe pumpkins consider it to be a sacrifice?
DeleteThat is crazy but boy would it be fun to watch. I wonder if those guys hit the mile mark?
ReplyDeleteYes, that is a great question.
DeleteOh my! It reminds me of Monty Python catapulting the cow!
ReplyDeleteOH, that was so crazy! Gotta go find it again.
DeleteI like when giant pumpkins are dropped on old cars.
ReplyDeleteNow that would be crazy fun to watch.
DeleteThere were no pumpkins where I grew up so learning about this tradition is really fun. I think it's important for grownups to play and also to uphold traditions.
ReplyDeleteHere, pumpkin gardens are big business. Also children make short work of those gardens.
DeleteI just love Halloween. At the pumpkin farm behind us they have a thing like you pictured that flings the pumpkins after Halloween. They also do drops. So if you bring in your pumpkin you can watch it being "flung" through the air or watch it dropped from this tower. They always put water or something in the pumpkin so when it falls it really makes a mess and those in front get a bit messy and the kids love it. We have been known to take friends kids because we have none because we enjoy the whole pumpkin farm stuff to be fun!
ReplyDeleteYou really have a way of enjoying pumpkins!
DeleteI've spent many a Thanksgiving watching this on TV.
ReplyDeleteMy brother lives near Peoria, IL, which apparently has a pretty major event.
DeleteA good cause. Sure sounds like Punkin Chunkin is a winner.
ReplyDeleteIt must be a load of fun.
DeleteThis sounds cool to watch in person. Here we have pumpkin cannons. I've never paid to use one though. I don't have the heart to smash a pumpkin, lol (so silly, I know!). In any case, Happy Fall and all the good stuff that goes with it!
ReplyDeleteOh, you can do it! Go! There are also events where old delapited pianos are also thrown with a trebuchet. It is a little sad, but oh well.
DeleteCheeses, cow patties, pumpkins. You people really love throwing things! have fun.
ReplyDeleteI am sure there are more events where you throw things. I'll let you know.
DeleteWhat a great way to celebrate the season, i wouldn't mind seeing this in person.
ReplyDeleteI have asked my brother to film it.
DeleteThe cheese rolling competition is the one I’d nominate, as it’s downright dangerous 🤗
ReplyDeleteYes! We love danger!
DeleteThere are plenty of pumpkins in our shops here in the UK right now.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
35 years ago we lived in Ireland. No pumpkins growing there, but I found one from France. I almost hugged it.
DeleteThey are home grown now. I've seen them in fields. The plastic ones even have lights and spooky music inside them. It's amazing how technology has progressed in 35 years.
DeleteGod bless.
That is an incredible event that I never heard about. It's looks like lots of fun. People will compete doing anything these days. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the videos.
Glad you enjoyed them.
DeleteI can only assume this is the source of one of my all-time favorite David Letterman gags: catapulting pumpkins into the trunks of NYC taxi cabs. He is a Midwesterner. It would follow.
ReplyDeleteOh, that is good. Letterman was great. He is a Midwesterner, after all.
DeleteThe pumpkin provides all sorts of wonder, doesn't it, Susan? Including pumkin pie:)
ReplyDeleteWOW I can't believe this stuff. For a kid who used a sling this is fantastic. However I would never think of the huge catapults, they are amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the education. LOL