Punkin Chunkin to return to Sussex Nov. 4-6

World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association organizers announced March 12 that pumpkins will once again fly in Sussex County skies.

After canceling the event in 2014 and 2015, organizers plan to bring Punkin Chunkin back to its former venue in Bridgeville Friday, Nov. 4, through Sunday, Nov. 6.

“Now that we have an event, it's all hands on board as far as making sure we can pull this thing off,” said association president Frank Payton. “We're really looking for the local support. We're a nonprofit that has provided charity and scholarships. Since 2000, we've provided over $1 million.”

The association struggled to find an appropriate venue for Punkin Chunkin following a now-resolved lawsuit and insurance issues. A volunteer injured when an ATV overturned during the 2011 event sued the association for $5.5 million and included property owner Dale Wheatley of Wheatley Farms near Bridgeville as a defendant, prompting the Wheatley family to back away from the popular event.

Payton said after working on an insurance policy to bring the event to Dover International Speedway, he proposed using that policy at the 1,200-acre Wheatley Farm where the event had been held at no charge since 2007.

“That opened the door to talk to the Wheatley family,” he said, adding that the landowners wanted to ensure their property would be protected in case of future lawsuits. He said there has been a handshake agreement with the Wheatleys, but contracts must be written and details finetuned.

The insurance policy that will protect the landowners comes with higher costs, Payton said.

“It is three times the cost of what we have been doing in the past,” he said. “It's significant enough that we went to the governor for some assistance. We're still waiting to hear back.”

Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, who has helped the board meet with state leaders to garner additional support, said he is thrilled the event is returning to Sussex.

“The economic and cultural impact of Punkin Chunkin can't be understated,” he said in an email.

Payton said another significant change is that attendees will no longer be permitted to bring in alcoholic beverages. Instead, a committee is working to bring in alcoholic beverage vendors.

Payton said he hopes the change in alcohol rules will attract people who stopped attending the event because it got too rowdy.

“That in itself could make the difference in how many people we expect this year,” he said. “As an optimist, I'm hoping it'll be the biggest year ever.”

Payton said the organization is also working to clean up its reputation.

“That's one of the reasons we took a stance on alcohol,” he said. “There's this other name for the event, 'Drunk Chunk,' and that's not how people should look at this Delaware tradition. They should look at it as engineering ingenuity and a great family time.”

This year will mark the 30th anniversary of the event, which began in the Lewes area in 1986 when friends got together to toss pumpkins after Halloween. The last event attracted thousands of people, with teams and spectators from all over the world. Participants use trebuchets, catapults, torsion devices, air cannons and centrifugals, among other ingenious devices. The record for the longest air cannon shot is set at 4,694 feet.

In 2013, the event was named one of the top 100 events in the country by the American Bus Association, and it has been featured on the Science and Discovery channels.

Proceeds from the event benefit charity organizations including St. Jude's Hospital, Autism Delaware and scholarships for local students.

For more information about the chunk, go to www.punkinchunkin.com.