Annually, save the 2nd Saturday in November for the Pumpkin Olympics, 11am – 4pm. For 2021 that’s November 13. 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. 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.
All proceeds benefit local non-profits.
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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:
12:30PM – Pumpkin Pie Eating Competition
1:00PM – Chunkers’ Meet & Greet
1:00PM – Pumpkin Carving Demo
2:00PM – Cow Patty Bingo
3:15-4:00PM – The Giant Pumpkin Drop AND The Great Pumpkin Avalanche & Smash Fest!
$8/individual OR $30/family
What to expect at the Pumpkin Olympics: Great family fun!
At least 25 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, 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.) Completed cards are entered into a raffle for coveted “Top of the Hill” tickets.
Special Events Include: 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 Weight Guess final, with winners earning a “Top of the Hill” ticket.
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. (The more games played, the better your chance to win the raffle.)
The 2019 Giant Drop was a 860lb pumpkin grown and donated by Ken Redcay. Ken’s giant will be dropped by Null’s Towing, onto a car. 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. ($8 per person, or $30 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.
