Punkin Chunkin Colorado is back Sept. 21 and 22 at the Arapahoe Park Racetrack, 26000 E. Quincy Ave., in Aurora. Over 20 teams of “chunkers” from across the country will compete to break world records and gain bragging rights using a wide variety of air cannons, trebuchets and even a jet engine.
Punkin Chunkin teams compete in divisions based on type of machine – air cannon, trebuchet, catapult, centrifugal, torsion, human powered and youth. Division winners are those with the farthest launch along with one overall distance winner. The farthest pumpkin ever launched at Punkin Chunkin Colorado was nearly a mile, 4,787 feet.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22. Admission for children ages 4 and under is free and ages 5 and older pay only $5 per day. Parking is also free.
In addition to cheering for their favorite team of pumpkin chunkers, visitors can pick their own prized pumpkin from the patch and enjoy pony rides, a petting zoo, a pumpkin carver, face painting, crafts, Carve War’s chainsaw carving competition and other family activities. New this year, are two larger-than-life pumpkin carved displays –where pumpkins will be used to create gigantic pumpkin displays.