Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Results of the 16th Annual VT Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival

 🎃 Results of the 16th Annual Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival — September 28, 2025

Under blue skies and warm sunshine, the Stowe Events Field came alive for the 16th Annual Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival — and what a day it was! Thousands gathered to celebrate Vermont’s most unique fall tradition of trebuchet-powered pumpkin hurling, friendly competition, local food, music, and family fun.

This year’s festival featured 12 teams of pumpkin chuckers with 14 trebuchets, 6 chili cook-off competitors, 22 volleyball teams, 8 food vendors, 38 craft vendors, 33 business sponsors, and 50 incredible volunteers. A record-breaking 2,500 spectators joined the festivities — making this the biggest year yet.

Together, we raised $40,557 for the Clarina Howard Nichols Center, a Lamoille County nonprofit dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence. The funds came from entrance fees, sponsorships, merchandise sales, the chili cook-off, craft fair vendor fees, and generous on-site donations. Huge thanks to Executive Director Becky Gonyea and her team for organizing and running the festival for the seventh consecutive year!


🏆 Highlights & Competition Results

A New Champion in the Heavyweight Division

Three-time defending champion Jonathan Stapleton — holder of the world record throw of 879 feet — brought his famous 450-pound counterweighted trebuchet to defend his title. But in a dramatic twist, his machine’s arm snapped on the first launch, paving the way for Vermont State University–Randolph captain Keith Carrara to seize victory and claim the Heavyweight Division title!

Grand Prize: Best Design

Even after his heavyweight heartbreak, Jonathan Stapleton still earned top honors for Best Design, thanks to his Merlin-style trebuchet in the Middleweight Division, which achieved a scaled distance of 647 feet. This marks Stapleton’s fourth Grand Prize, the most in festival history!


🎯 Division Winners

Lightweight Open Division
🥇 Roger Duhamel — “Old Man’s Bucket List II”

Middleweight Junior Division
🥇 Douglas Kussius — “Mango Tango”
🥈 Caleb Bourdeau — “Let It Fly”

Middleweight Open Division
🥇 Jonathan Stapleton — “Merlin” (also Best Design)
🥈 Tyler Barnard — “Just Keep Chuckin’”
🥉 Jonathan Stapleton — “Merlin CVT”

Heavyweight Division
🥇 Keith Carrara — Vermont State University (Randolph) “Pumpkin Chucker”
🥈 Nicholas Helms — “5.2”


⚙️ How the Scoring Works

All trebuchets compete within height and weight limits for fairness. Exceeding those limits results in adjusted distances — so precision engineering matters as much as raw power! The coveted Best Design award is determined by scaling each division’s winning throw based on height ratios, ensuring that every trebuchet, big or small, competes on equal footing.


👷‍♂️ Honoring Our Veteran Builders

After sixteen years, the festival proudly recognizes the dedicated builders who keep the pumpkins flying year after year:

  • Nicholas Helms (VT) – Competed in 15 of 16 festivals, known for his inventive designs and medieval flair.

  • The Stapleton Family (VT) – Eleven-time competitors; the innovative “walking arm” design has dominated since 2016.

  • Dave Jordan (VT) – Organizer and ten-time competitor (and occasional accidental vertical launcher!).

  • Don & Chris Jordan (NY) – Nine-time competitors and 2014 Best Design winners.

  • Steve & Steven McCann (ME) – Nine appearances, multiple wins, and unmatched enthusiasm.

  • Ray & Ed Chamberlain (NH) – Eight-time competitors, including 2017’s Best Design winner.

  • Chris McGrody (NH) – Seven appearances; first heavyweight to win Best Design (2015).

  • Tim Brown & Family (MA) – Seven-time competitors and pioneers of team t-shirts!

  • And many more — including repeat winners and creative newcomers who embody the spirit of friendly engineering and fall fun.


🌶️ Chili Cook-Off Champions

With six delicious entries, attendees sampled five chili recipes for $5 and cast their votes:
🥇 Carter Peck — #5 ($100)
🥈 Ann Brever — #6 ($50)
🥉 Eric Halperin — #2 ($25)


🏐 Volleyball Tournament

The Fourth Annual Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin’ Invitational Volleyball Quads Tournament, organized by Bill Orleans of Green Mountain Volleyball, drew 22 top-tier teams from Vermont, New York, and Montreal.
🥇 Ryan Rabidou, Kevin Devine, Taj Schottland, and Nick Pizzuti


🍴 Food, Crafts & Music

Festivalgoers enjoyed delicious eats from Hook & Peel Pizza, El Gato Cantina, Maharaja Spice, The Better Kettle, Mediterranean Mix, Street Treats Ice Cream, and Jenna’s Promise Roasting Co.

The 2nd Annual Craft Fair featured 38 talented artisans, offering everything from pottery and maple products to photography, jewelry, and woodworking.

Music filled the air all day with John Smyth’s singer-songwriter set opening the morning, followed by the upbeat rhythms of Ok Commuter, keeping the energy high as pumpkins soared.


🐢 Dolores the Tortoise Returns!

Beloved local celebrity Dolores the Tortoise, along with her owner Kelly Goosecock, delighted attendees for the third year in a row. She remains the festival’s only official animal guest!


🙏 Thank You to Our Volunteers & Sponsors

This festival thrives thanks to our 50 dedicated volunteers who made everything possible — from setup and cleanup to parking, kids’ activities, and measuring those all-important throws. Special thanks to announcer John Prittie and the youth volunteers from Peoples Academy and Stowe High School.

Heavyweight Sponsors

Community National Bank • Fidium Fiber • Maggie McLeod Macdonald Fund • Nichols & Bates, P.C. • Three Mountain Roofing

Middleweight Sponsors

10 Railroad Street • Coldwell Banker Carlson Real Estate • Donald P. Blake Jr. Inc. • Piecasso • Smugglers’ Notch Resort • Union Bank • Vermont Electric Cooperative • and more

Lightweight Sponsors

Bourne’s Energy • Casella Waste Systems • El Gato Cantina • Hook & Peel • Maharaja Spice • Street Treats Ice Cream • The Better Kettle • and many others who helped make this event a success.


📅 Save the Date: September 27, 2026

Mark your calendars! The 17th Annual Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the Stowe Events Field. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates as the date approaches.

For more details:
📧 Dave Jordan – Festival Organizer
📰 Blog: VTPumpkinChuckin.blogspot.com
📩 Email: Djordan@gmavt.net

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Sunday, September 28, 2025

Happy Pumpkin Chuckin' Day

Our 16th Annual Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival is about to begin shortly. The weather looks great and the gates are about to open, so we hope to see you all here at Stowe Events Field, 120 Weeks Hill Rd., in Stowe, Vermont. Parking is free. Let's have a great day.

16th Annual Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival


Today at 11 am 

16th Annual Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival

120 Weeks Hill Rd., Stowe, VT, United States, Vermont 05672

Monday, September 22, 2025

The Countdown to 16th Annual Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival

There are now only 6 days remaining until our 16th Annual Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival on Sunday, September 28th.

We want to highlight a few features of this year's festival that enhance the experience of coming to Stowe on Sunday.

Our Craft Fair is again fully loaded with outstanding crafters that you will enjoy.

16th VTPC - Craft Fair

The Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival Chili Cook-Off!

To compete - Bring two gallons of chili (and a crock pot to keep it warm) to the event by 11:30am. 

Beginning at noon, event attendees pay $5 to taste samples of the chili and vote for their favorite. The top three vote-getters receive cash prizes of $100, $50, and $25.

The $10 event entrance fee is waived for chili competitors.


Monday, September 15, 2025

Our Poster and Press Release for this our 16th festival on September 28th

Poster of 16th Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival

There are only 13 days left until the 16the Annual Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival on Sunday, September 28th.

** ATTENTION ALL COMPETITORS** Please arrive between 10:00 am and 11:00 am on Sunday so you can get set-up and have your trebuchet weighed, measured, and safety checked so we can begin the competition promptly at 12:30. Thank you.

Here is our press release talking about all the great stuff going on at the festival this year:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Charity: Clarina Howard Nichols Center, Morrisville, VT

16th Annual Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin Festival

Held at the Stowe Events Field, Weeks Hill Road in Stowe, VT

Proceeds of the September 28th event to benefit the Clarina Howard Nichols Center

Stowe, Vermont: This year marks 16 years of the Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin Festival which was awarded USA Today’s best fall festival in the nation. This festival celebrates the sport of chuckin pumpkins for distance, using a do-it-yourself constructed trebuchet, which is a gravity powered catapult. The event is a cross between a Soap Box Derby competition involving amateur building skills and a shot put contest. This is a great opportunity for kids and adults to design and build something and engage in some family friendly competition.

The festival is a one-day event that benefits the Clarina Howard Nichols Center which works to end domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking, and stalking in Lamoille County.

The festival runs from 11am to 4pm and features 3 rounds of chuckin at 12:30pm, 1:30pm and 2:30pm, with awards short after the last round. Prizes are awarded in each division: heavyweight, middleweight open, middleweight junior and lightweight. The winner of each division receives $100 and the best design receives an extra $100.

Admission to the festival is $10, with children 5 years and younger admitted for free. Parking is free. Handicap parking is available, but seating is not provided. Feel free to bring chairs or blankets. No dogs, outside food or beverages are allowed at the event.

Admission is free if you enter the Chili Cookoff. To enter, bring 2 gallons of chili in a crock pot. Attendees will pay to sample the various chilis and vote for their favorites. Chili must be onsite by 11:30am. The top three chilis will win a cash prize ($100, $50, and $25).

Bring your appetite for 6 food trucks and your craft appreciation for over 40 craft vendors. Rounding out the action are 2 bands (OK Commuter and John Smyth), children’s activities, and a volleyball tournament featuring the best players in the state.

The current record for the heavyweight division is a whopping 879 feet, almost 3 football fields!

INFO: Specifications, rules and entry information can be found on the festival blog at VTPumpkinChuckin.blogspot.com or contact the festival organizer at Djordan@gmavt.net.

Friday, May 9, 2025

Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin Festival - FAQ
Festival Frequently Asked Questions:

What time does the festival start?
Answer: The festival opens at 11am. Food trucks, the craft fair, kids activities, and live music will all be available then. The festival ends at around 4pm.

Where can I park?
Answer: Parking is available on-site at the event. There will be two lots to park in – one directly next to the event field and one across the street. Parking is free.

Can my younger children come in with me without charge?
Answer: Yes, this is a kid friendly festival. Children 5 and under are free to attend the festival. Tickets are $10 for ages 6 and over.

Can I bring in my own food?
Answer: Sorry, no outside food is permitted, bottled water will be allowed. There will be many food vendors offering a wide variety of food.

Can I bring in my picnic basket?
Answer: Sorry, no outside food is permitted, but bottled water is permitted.

Can I bring my own cooler?
Answer: No tables, coolers, tents or large umbrellas permitted. Small folding lawn or beach chairs are allowed.

Can I bring in my own wine, beer or other alcohol?
Answer: No, regulations forbid any outside alcohol being brought in.

How long does the actual pumpkin chuckin' last? The first round of hurling starts at 12:30 pm and the final round starts at 2:30. Winners and awards are announced around 3:15pm.

Can I buy beer or wine at the festival?
Answer: No, this is a family friendly festival, and no alcohol is served.

Can I bring my dog?
Answer: No, this is not a dog friendly event. Service animals are allowed. Turtles and tortoises are allowed. The area can be crowded at times, and it is not dog friendly.
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Is food included in the ticket price?
Answer: No, food must be purchased from the vendors of your choice.

How do I participate as a vendor at the craft fair?
Answer: Contact Becky Gonyea at bgonyea@clarina.org to request a craft vendor application form.

How do I participate as a food vendor?
Answer: Contact Becky Gonyea at bgonyea@clarina.org to inquire about food vendor opportunities.
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