Blow ’Em Up Real Good

As Americans, we’ve all plunged a sharp knife into the fleshy orange head of a pumpkin and ripped out its seedy brains by hand ― that’s nothing new. But there are other ways to gut a gourd, and the World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association has the trademark on them. No,...

By Jonathan Shikes

October 6, 2011

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As Americans, we’ve all plunged a sharp knife into the fleshy orange head of a pumpkin and ripped out its seedy brains by hand ― that’s nothing new. But there are other ways to gut a gourd, and the World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association has the trademark on them. No, really. The Delaware-based association owns the trademark to the term “Punkin Chunkin,” and it only lets certain events use it – events like the City of Aurora’s newly renamed Punkin Chunkin Colorado, which takes place today.

The goal of punkin chunkin, of course, is to see how far you can lob a pumpkin using a trebuchet; you may remember the giant thirteenth-century trebuchet on display two years ago in the Museum of Nature & Science’s Genghis Khan exhibit (which was likely used to hurl heads rather gourds). Trebuchets, which are similar to catapults, can send pumpkins flying hundreds of feet. Pumpkins that explode in the air don’t count.

Come out and watch the explosive fun today from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, 25690 Quincy Avenue; admission is free, but parking is $5. There will also be music in the afternoon from the Kyle Hollingsworth Band and the David James Band, along with food and beer from Aurora’s Dry Dock Brewing – which will be serving its Pumpkin Ale, along with other delicious beverages. Visit www.auroragov.org for details.
Sat., Oct. 8, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., 2011

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