Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Pumpkin Olympics is cancelled.
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For 2021, save the 2nd Saturday in November for the annual Pumpkin Olympics, 11am – 4pm. It is a smash’m, throw’m, roll’m family-fun pumpkin fest for “kids” of all ages. Smokin’ Lamas lead the human-powered Punkin Chunkin’ machines by flinging pumpkins up to 2000ft. About 30 pumpkin games are scattered throughout two game areas, including Pumpkin Bowling, the Hill Roll, Gourd Toss and the Pumpkin Throw. Special events include the Pie Eating Contest, Weighted Carry, and Got-to-Go race. This awesome event is capped off by the Giant Pumpkin Drop, and the famous Pumpkin Avalanche & Smash Fest. A variety of food options are available, including smoked beef sandwiches, chicken corn soup and sweet treats like pumpkin roll.
All proceeds benefit local non-profits.
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Typical Annual Event details… (CANCELLED FOR 2020)
Family-fun pumpkin smashing event that 11am -3pm features Punkin Chunkin’, lots of pumpkin games, and awesome food. 3:15-4:00 features The Giant Drop and the famous Pumpkin Avalanche & Smash Fest.
Special events include:
11:30AM – Pumpkin Weighted Carry Competition
12:00PM – Got-to-Go Pumpkin Race
12:30PM – Pumpkin Pie Eating Competition
1:00PM – Chunkers’ Meet & Greet
1:00PM – Pumpkin Carving Demo
1:30PM – Pairs Pumpkin Race
2:00PM – Cow Patty Bingo
2:30PM – Pumpkin Throwing Competition Finals
3:15-4:00PM – The Giant Pumpkin Drop AND The Great Pumpkin Avalanche & Smash Fest!
$7/individual OR $25/family
What to expect at the Pumpkin Olympics: Great family fun!
At least 30 game stations will be running, for all ages to participate in the throw’m, roll’m smash’m 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, Dart-a-Pumpkin, etc. Stamps are earned on the “Game Station Stamp Cards” by playing 5 different games at the any of the 30 stations. (Multiple cards can be earned.) Record holders & scores are posted for each game (Is you’re name there from past years?). “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). 12:30pm 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 completed game station stamp cards, and a raffle of green highest score cards. (The more games played, the better your chance to win the raffle.)
The 2018 Giant Drop was a 560lb 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 2019, recipients included: The Point, PCCO (Parkesburg Churches Community Outreach), Maple Grove Mennonite Church’s community giving project, Octorara Softball Boosters, Octorara FFA, Hans Herr FFA, LMS Field Hockey, Octorara Football Boosters, and Keystone Valley Fire & Ambulance. Lots of yummy food options are available also, for a fee. There will be a variety of hot food options, baked goods, and desserts available for purchase.
