November 18, 2005
Only in America
Every year since 1986, near Millsboro, the Punkin Chunkin has been held. Last week, 100 teams vied to see whose machine could toss an 8-10lb (3.6-4.6kg) pumpkin farthest. There were various categories: air cannons, trebuchets, pedal-powered doohickeys. No explosives are allowed—a galling rule to some contestants. But the biggest air cannons, with barrels up to 150 feet (46 metres) long, can shoot their fruit projectiles most of a mile, making each one what one spectator called “one heck of a peashooter�.
Best analysis: "Dorothy Blades... thinks men crave the sense of power that only blasting a pumpkin into orbit in front of a large crowd can provide. 'Plus it's a drinkathon,' she adds."
Update: NPR has an audio piece with photos here.
Posted by Papa-Lu at November 18, 2005 9:15 AM
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