Route 66 Punkin Chunkin "Shootin' on the Route" Lets Fly on Saturday, Oct. 28

Nothing says fall like pumpkins flying through the air.

Don’t think so?

Stop by the third annual Route 66 Punkin Chunkin “Shootin’ on the Route” event on Saturday, Oct. 28, and discover for yourself the fun of hurling pumpkins. Once you’ve witnessed the pure fun of seeing pumpkins launched across the sky, the month of October will never again be complete without a pumpkin or two taking flight.

Punkin chunkin or pumpkin chunking, depending on what part of the country you’re in, is the sport of hurling or “chucking” a pumpkin for distance solely by mechanical means. The devices used include slingshots, catapults, centrifugals, trebuchets and pneumatic air cannons.

Hosted by the Vinita Area Chamber of Commerce, the Route 66 Punkin Chunkin will be held next to John’s Tractor Works & Equipment, three miles east of Vinita on U.S. Highway 60/66.

Gates and vendor booths are open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. According to Vinita Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Monica Bagwell, the pumpkins should start being launched around 11:30 a.m.

About a dozen or so different chunking teams from around the four-state area are expected to compete in the Route 66 Punkin Chunkin this year. Bagwell says she believes most of the teams will be using either catapults or air cannons.

There will be three rounds of competition to see which team can fling pumpkins the farthest. After these rounds, a grand champion will be crowned. Trophies and bragging rights will go to the winners.

And, the fun doesn’t end there.

What started out three years ago as a simple punkin chunkin with flying pumpkins has grown into a festival that includes a chili cook-off, arts and crafts, food trucks, vendor booths, a Kids Zone and children’s costume contest. There’s even a hay ride from your car to the punkin chunkin grounds.

Chili cook-off teams will be setting up between 10 and 10:30 a.m. Judging begins at 11 a.m. as does the chili tasting.

Eighteen teams have already registered for the chili cook-off and registrations are still being accepted.

A number of vendors, including arts and crafts, wineries and commercial businesses, will be on hand offering a variety of shopping options. There will also be several food trucks with plenty of tasty treats to enjoy.

The free Kids Zone opens at 11 a.m. The lineup of fun games and activities in the kids zone will include bouncy houses, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin decorating, face painting, a mini punkin chunkin and an archery event. There will also be a kids’ costume contest at 1 p.m. in the Kids Zone.

Admission to the Route 66 Punkin Chunkin “Shootin’ on the Route” event is $5 for adults at the gate. Children ages 4 and under are free. Chili cook-off tickets, which includes a chili tasting kit, are $5. This fun, fall family event promises to be a great time for the whole family.

For more information, call the Vinita Area Chamber of Commerce at (918) 256-7133 or visit the Route 66 Punkin Chunkin Facebook page.