It's Almost Punkin' Chunkin' Time!

 

Every year at the beginning of November some rather unique individuals get together and do some crazy things.  It's a great way to spend a weekend.  Every November, whether we're all supposed to be getting ready to vote or not, Royal Farms, or Wheatley, in Bridgeville, Deleware becomes ground zero for guys with really big toys designed to shoot and fling pumpkins as far as the eye can see.
Now, don't worry if you can't make it, you can see it on the Discovery Channel on Thanksgiving.  This is one of the biggest cult classic events of the year in the United States.  I follow it every year on TV.
Here's how it works.

Take some pumpkins that are carefully chosen for size, so they fit into the machine that you've built.  Make sure that they aren't too soft, so they self destruct on their way, which won't count.
   Build yourself a really big, powerful machine,

or cannon.
And shoot the pumpkin as far as you can.

There's even a division for the kids, so they can participate too.

Now, I mention the World Championship Punkin Chunkin Contest because I love it.  It's the craziest way I've ever seen to have good old fashioned family fun.  It's also a great way to blow the crap out of some pumpkins, but that's okay.  Everyone loves a good cannon.  Another thing that I thought I would mention about this craziness is something that maybe not everyone knows.
 
First, Punkin Chunkin in Deleware was conceived back in 1986.  It happened quite by accident.  They were throwing around some pumpkins and the next thing you knew, they had a contest.  The World Championships officially started in 2001.
 
Second, this is one of the world's most popular offbeat events.  In recent years, it's drawn up to 20,000 people a year.  The field is limited and it gets closed every year.  There is a long waiting list too, just in case someone has to drop out.  There are plenty of other potential competitors waiting in the wings.

And most important is the one thing that everyone might not know.  Punkin Chunkin is a non profit event.  That's right, if you thought it was just a bunch of rednecks shooting pumpkins out of a cannon, you missed the point.  Here's some of the causes that Punkin Chunkin is currently supporting:
         
    So, in addition to putting on a great show, they really do good work.
So, pack you bags, and come to the party.  There's many festivities to go along with the contest.  You can camp at the site if you like.  There's a festival, there's a Miss Punkin Chunkin contest.  There's crafts, and food for all.  It's a great time and a great way to give Fall one last hurrah.

 http://www.punkinchunkin.com/
http://www.zazzle.com/warning_i_do_stupid_things_tee_shirt-235988231419408545
http://www.atbeach.com/punkinchunkin/gallery.html
http://www.visitdelaware.com/
http://science.discovery.com/tv/punkin-chunkin/
http://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
http://pixels.com/profiles/terri-dixon.html
http://www.zazzle.com/imagings
 
Enjoy!