Stowe, Vermont, Sept 6, 2013 – It is again time to get your pumpkin chuckin' trebuchet ready for the 5th Annual Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin' (VTPC) Festival on Sunday, September 29th, 2013 at the Stoweflake Resort and Spa in Stowe, Vermont. The VTPC Festival is a fun, family event sponsored by the Stoweflake Resort and Spa and other local sponsors. The goal is to give kids and adults a fun chance to build something with their hands and compete.
The Festival runs from 11am to 4pm, featuring three rounds of competitive pumpkin chuckin' at 12:30pm, 1:30pm and 2:30pm, with awards shortly after the last round. Dogs and outside food or beverage are not allowed at the event. Admission to the Festival will cost $5 for ages 5 and over, free for 4 and under. Parking is free. Food, beer and wine will be available for sale by the Stoweflake.
The Festival is a one-day event where Do-It-Yourself mechanical wizards of all ages attempt to launch pumpkins as far as possible with trebuchets, which are medieval siege engines. The event has grown in size every year. The Science Channel's broadcast of the World Championship Punkin Chunkin on Thanksgiving Day has helped fuel the growth of the sport of pumpkin chucking. Last year eighteen teams from New York and around New England competed at the VTPC Festival.
Along with the pumpkin chuckin’ contest comes music, children’s activities, a bounce house, chili cook-off, mini-olympics, and great food; all creating an enjoyable fall day with proceeds benefiting the Lamoille Family Center. The Family Center has a thirty-seven year history of supporting Lamoille Valley families through early care and education services, home visiting, parent education, playgroups, child care resource and referral, youth services, and emergency assistance.
Music for this year's festival will again be provided by Vermont performers Mike Dunn and sister Julia, and the duo Jenn and John, who will be performing periodically from 11am to 4pm.
Dave Jordan, enthusiastic founder (and competitor) of the festival says: "This is a fun competition modeled after the Soap Box Derby. The height and weight of the machines are limited to make it fair for teams with limited resources. The team that throws a pumpkin the farthest for their height will win best design prize and receive first pick of the prizes".
The festival will have four categories of competition, which also compete against each other for the Best Overall Design, which is the farthest throw for the height of their trebuchet. The four categories are: Lightweight Division, Middleweight Junior Division, Middleweight Open Division, and Heavyweight Division. It costs $5 to enter the competition (or to spectate). For the exact competitive specifications, rules, and entry information please visit the festival's website (http://vtpumpkinchuckin.blogspot.com/) for details.
Exciting prizes for the competition winners have been donated by the festival sponsors. Prizes include:
- Glider ride by Stowe Soaring
- $50 gift certificate by Trattoria La Festa in Stowe
- $50 gift certificate by Bee's Knees in Morrisville
- Umiak Outfitters gift certificate
- Update/prize added: One night stay for 2 at Innsbruck Inn at Stowe with breakfast & afternoon tea
Chili Cook-off: Eight local celebrity judges representing local TV, newspapers, magazines and restaurants will assist in judging the different selections. This will be a hybrid tournament where the celebrity judges get 10 votes; non-celebrity judges can also join the fun for $5 and get a sample and vote as well. First prize gets $100, second get $50 and third gets $25. To compete, bring 2 gallons of chili to the event. You receive free admission to the Festival, a chance to schmooze with the celebrities and a very good chance of winning prize money. To register, or for more information, email Neil Handwerger at cafeonmainstowe@gmail.com
Mini-Olympics: This will be a 5 event Olympics for kids of all ages. There will be running, jumping, chucking, one legged race, and a wheelbarrow race. Two rounds will take place - 12:30 - 1:45pm and 2:00pm - 3:15pm. A donation of $5 is suggested to enter all events.
Pumpkin carving/drawing contest: Kids can carve a pumpkin or draw a pumpkin or even bring a pre-carved pumpkin to compete. Please bring your own pumpkin. Suggested donation $3.
Bouncy house: Provided by Lamoille Family Center: Free fun!
For more information about the 5th Annual Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival, please visit the festival's website at http://vtpumpkinchuckin.blogspot.com/ or contact the festival organizer Dave Jordan, email: DJordan@GMAVT.net, telephone: (603) 630-4800