Although the chunk attracts international and national television coverage, getting money out of the host county is almost as hard as the anvils used in the first chunk almost 25 years ago.

The World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association asks the county for money each year. For several years, Sussex County Council has issued a $5,000 grant.

But with the county’s finances tight this year, every donation is being scrutinized; some grants have been eliminated; others have been cut back. Last month, Bridgeville’s Apple-Scrapple Festival received a $1,500 grant.

After a lot of discussion at its Tuesday, Oct. 20 meeting, the council narrowly approved a $4,600 grant, voting 3-2. Councilmen Vance Phillips, R-Laurel; George Cole, R-Ocean View; and Mike Vincent, R-Seaford, voted in favor of the grant. Councilwoman Joan Deaver, D-Rehoboth Beach, and Councilman Sam Wilson, R-Georgetown, voted against it.

Frank Shade, former president and now director of media and promotions, was put on the hot seat.

“You should be on your feet by now,” said Deaver.

Shade, who works for the county as director of purchasing, said the nonprofit association is also feeling the strain of the tight economy. “Yes, we are on our feet, but we have been hit hard this year,” he said.

He said some expenses that in the past were done gratis are adding to the budget, including $18,000 to cover work done by Sussex Correctional Institution prisoners and $20,000 for traffic control by Delaware Department of Transportation.

Shade said money left over after all expenses are paid is donated to charities and given out for scholarships; $20,000 was handed out last year.

In addition, he said, the event generates about $2 million to the county’s economy during the week.

Vincent asked Shade if all money raised and spent by the association stays in Sussex County, which is the main criteria for the council’s awarding of grants.

“No, not 100 percent,” answered Shade.

But he did guarantee that the grant from the county would be used for expenses in the county.

“We want verification that the money stays in Sussex County,” Phillips said.

Deaver questioned Shade’s work on the event during his seven-year reign as president. “The county has put tremendous resources in this event,” she said. “You ran the event as an employee of the county.”

Shade said any work he did on Punkin Chunkin during weekdays while he was not on vacation was documented, and he made up the time by working extra hours for the county.

Cole proposed a $5,000 grant, but the motion did not get a second. With an 8 percent reduction, the average reduction for most nonprofit agencies this year in county grants, the measure passed.

“$5,000 is not that much money for something this big that brings in a lot of business to the county,” Cole said.

“It is a unique event. It’s rare that any group seeking support brings in that much economic opportunity to the area,” Phillips said.

Wilson, who has been critical of several council grants, questioned the hard time being felt by the association.

“People paying taxes are having a hard time too,” he said.

“It’s time for Punkin Chunkin to stand on its own,” Deaver said.