The Punkin Chunkin Association is anticipating raising thousands of dollars for local and national charities during the 24th annual world championships scheduled for Friday through Sunday, Nov. 6-8. The competition will be at the Wheatley Farm in Bridgeville.
This year’s event is partnered with the Discovery Channel. It will be filming two hour-long segments that will air on Thanksgiving Day. The first hour, “The Road to Punkin Chunkin,” will feature prechunk events, teams and information about the Punkin Chunkin Association and what it does. The second hour highlight this year’s competition.
Proceeds from last year’s event raised nearly $60,000 for scholarships and charitable organizations, and Punkin Chunkin spokesman Frank Shade anticipates this year’s event will raise even more money.
Another nationally based charity Punkin Chunkin supports is the American Cancer Society. The funds were raised during the November 2008 World Championship Punkin Chunkin competition.
“With the economy down, we have decided to downsize the cost of the Friday night concert,” said Shade. “We will be featuring The Funsters on Friday evening, and the concert is free for everyone on the field. Your admission to the event will get you to the concert.”
Some of the other organizations the Punkin Chunkin Association supports include a Lions Club, Lower Delaware Autism Foundation, Shriner’s Hospital, Home of the Brave, scouting programs, children’s sports-related programs, and children’s and family organizations.
The gates open at 7:30 a.m. all three days, and competitions commence at 9 a.m. The contests are expected to end by late afternoon, at which time there will be a free-for-all demonstration. Competitors are not limited to hurling pumpkins during the free-for-all; any fruits or vegetables are legal. Final contests begin at 8 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 8, and champions are crowned during an awards ceremony at the end of the day.
In addition to the flying pumpkin spectacles, the event includes food booths, craft booths, rides for children, a cooking contest and live entertainment.
Admission is $9 per person and free for children younger than 12; parking is $2. For more information, call the Punkin Chunkin Association office at 443-624-1865. The new site is approximately a mile east of the intersection of Route 404 and Route 18. For information about the organization or schedule of events, visit punkinchunkin.com.
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