It’s coming! Soon! The 18th annual Pumpkin Olympics is on Sat, November 11, 11am to 4pm. We are gearing up for a rolling, throwing, smashing good time. See the Punkin’ Chunkers, play the games and have an awesome lunch, 11am-3pm.
At least 25 game stations will be running, for all ages to participate in the activities. Game stations include: Pumpkin Basketball, Gourd Fishing, Pumpkin Bowling, Skee-Pumpkin, Gourd Toss, Hockey Scoop & Score, Shuffle Pumpkin, Pumpkin Bocce, Obstacle Course, Pumpkin Seed Spit, Target Shoot, Hill Roll, etc. Stamps are earned on the “Game Station Stamp Cards” by playing 5 different games at the any of the 25 stations. (Multiple cards can be earned.) Previous record holders & scores are posted for each game, and “Today’s Highest Scores” winners can earn a green raffle ticket, plus possibly get their name on the board for next year!.
Special Events Include: Several pumpkin races, with prizes for winners of the 3 age categories (kids, teens, and adults). 12:20pm features the much anticipated crowning of the Pumpkin-Pie-Eating champion. At 1pm, guest carver, Kelinda Ganow, will demonstrate a professional pumpkin carving on a 100+ pound pumpkin. Also at 1pm, the punkin’ chunkers take a break so that fans can get a close-up look at the machines during the “Meet & Greet.” The final signature contestant at 2:30pm is the Pumpkin Throwing Finals, where the top 3 male & female pumpkin athletes in each age category, each throw 2 pumpkins to determine the Grand Prize winners. (Finalists must qualify at the Throwing station earlier in the day.)
After 3pm we shift the festivities to the meadow hill, starting with the “Top of the Hill Roll.” Participants who guess the closest weight on the 15 large pumpkins, each win a trip to the top to roll their pumpkin down the hill. Also, more participants win the coveted “Top of the Hill” tickets in a raffle of complete game station stamp cards, and a raffle of green highest score cards.
This year’s Giant Drop will be a 760lb pumpkin grown and donated by Ken Redcay. Ken’s giant will be dropped by Null’s Towing, onto a car provided by Fling’s Towing. Thanks guys!
The final portion of the meadow activities features the highly acclaimed “Pumpkin Avalanche.” You’re in for a unique experience as you watch about 1000 pumpkins cascade and careen down the hill, flying to pieces and shooting into the air. Look for the cloud of pumpkin juice mist as things settle down. After every pumpkin has come to rest, the crowd is invited to smash any remaining intact pumpkin on the ground. Who cleans up this huge mess? Our beef cows! They love pumpkins and will spend the next week eating to their heart’s content. You may even see the results of pumpkin mousse on their faces.
The gate fee covers most all of the activities, except for the Pie Eating contest and Cow Patty Bingo. ($7 per person, or $25 for a family) All proceeds from the event go to local non-profits. In 2016, recipients included: PCCO (Parkesburg Churches Community Outreach), Romano 4H Center, Maple Grove Mennonite Church’s community giving project, Octorara Softball Boosters, Octorara FFA, and Hans Herr FFA. Lots of yummy food options are available also, for a fee. Stampede Smokin BBQ will have a variety of hot food options, Maple Grove will have a a baked goods and dessert stand, and Octorara Softball will provide the drink options.
Glen Run Valley View Farm 