ltljohn Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 I am thinking about heading down to Delaware for the Punkin Chunkin Championship November 7th and 8th. I am just going to find a nearby hotel for Saturday night and head down early Saturday morning and home to PA Sunday night. Anybody interested???? Link to comment
BULLman Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 Seen them on the TLC and it looks likes loads of fun. Have agreat time Link to comment
ltljohn Posted October 3, 2009 Author Share Posted October 3, 2009 I've watched on TV several times but it's only about 3 hours away so I'm going this year. Link to comment
Selden Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 Ooh, my favorite redneck cultural event. I've only been once, but it was a total hoot -- especially the diesel-powered centrifugal. Punkin Chunkin attracts huge crowds, so finding a place to stay in middle Delaware might be iffy. My mother runs a B&B in New Castle, which isn't too far away. She's got about 6 guest rooms, including a small suite on the third floor with (if I remember correctly 3 beds in 2 rooms. She's 88 and a little eccentric, but if you mention my name (Selden Deemer), she may cut you some slack. She also has some 3-bedroom duplexes that may have rooms available, although these are usually for shot-term rentals, rather than overnights. Although she has a web site, she doesn't do e-mail, and doesn't take plastic; cash or check only. Link to comment
Svensk Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 Took a little morning ride out to Greenfield, NH, home of world champion trebuchet Yankee Siege. Last year they set the record at 1,897 feet! They're doing afternoon demos every weekend afternoon until Halloween. I was too early for the show, but took a couple of pictures and chatted with the operator who was more than willing to answer questions. He says they'll be dismantling the machine after Halloween and then head down to Delaware to defend their championship. There's a link to a slide show picturing the assembly, operation and dis-assembly on the website in the "Photos & Videos" section. This is what it looks like up close: Just kidding Here's the real thing. Pretty impressive in person. They use a hydraulic pump to crank it into firing position. Normally they run about 20,000 lb. counterweights but can bump it up to 30,000 if desired. The little one has 200 lb. counterweights and was built as a toy, but the owner felt it was too dangerous so he donated it to Yankee Farmer. Here's the "Castle on the Hill". This place is kind of like a farm stand on steroids with a medieval theme. I think we'll have to go back next weekend and watch them chunk a few punkins! Link to comment
Selden Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 Although the air cannons shoot pumpkins the longest distances, the other devices are more fun to watch because you can actually see the pumpkin fly. The trick with air cannons is keeping the muzzle velocity subsonic; otherwise you end up with pie in the sky. Hmm.... I'm getting new tires on October 31. Should I ride to Delaware? Link to comment
Kathy R Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 If we have a heat wave I'll be game for some punkin chunkin. Why not? Link to comment
Matts_12GS Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 Hmmmm, it's only about 950 miles... Maybe, just maybe I can get away from work Link to comment
OoPEZoO Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 Bring your heated gear......they are already calling for temps to dip into the mid/low 30's this week. Damn, its getting cold early this year. Not a good sign. Link to comment
notacop Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 Gotta be an intellectual pursuit. Out West in Salinas we went to a pumpkin fair. Saw some big dude 600+ LB pumpkins. My Son-in-law grew a decent one in Orange county and was hitting up the experts on techniques. I've seen potato guns but a pumpkin gun, now that's gtta be a sight! Link to comment
Svensk Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 Did anyone make it to the Punkin Chunkin? The local NH paper had this to say: New Trebuchet Record Link to comment
Selden Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 I had seen photos of the Yankee Siege trebuchet previously -- someone who builds a web site dedicated to their trebuchet might be a little obsessive. Results. Looks like this year's chunkin was the first trebuchet to exceed 2000 feet. Only one of the air cannons went beyond 4000 feet. The air cannons get more attention, but the trebuchets are more fun to watch. Maybe next year. Link to comment
Selden Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Second chance . An alternative to football. Link to comment
Svensk Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Nice find, Selden. According to the site, November 26th at 8:00 p.m. Science Channel will begin airing Punkin Chunkin! Just in time to have some pie! Link to comment
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