Beware of flying pumpkins

Pumpkin Chunkin officially began in the 1980s in the US state of Delaware. Until 2017, a world championship was held there every year on the first weekend after Halloween, then for various reasons not again until 2023 in Oklahoma. But of course the population doesn't want to miss out on this great fun. That's why countless Punkin Chunkin events are held all over the United States, which are usually organized independently of each other. For example, in Lake County (California), Clayton (New York), Ellicottville (New York), Bald Eagle State Park (Centre County, Pennsylvania) and many other places.

But of course, we Swiss don't sleep. That's why Pumpkin Chunkin also takes place here in Wildegg. A pumpkin event is held there regularly on the first weekend after Halloween at the Hardhof. It starts on Saturday evening with food and live music and culminates on Sunday with the already legendary Pumpkin Chunkin. There are not only the disciplines of long throw and target long throw, where the pumpkins are thrown by hand into the open field. There is also the supreme discipline of the «free class», in which participants compete with self-made devices such as catapults, slingshots, cannons and the like. Real eye-catchers!

More information from the end of August www.kürbisweitwurf.ch.

Incidentally, the pumpkins are not simply «thrown away» at the Hardhof. Instead, the pumpkins that were not sold and would otherwise have been composted are used for the Pumpkin Chunkin. After all, Hardhof is a hotspot for pumpkin shopping in the fall. From Hokkaido to butternut squash, many varieties are available for cooking and baking. There are even smaller varieties of the popular musk pumpkins for singles. But you can also stock up for Halloween here: around half of the pumpkins are suitable for decorating and ornamenting. - Speaking of Pumpkin Chunkin weekend: children can also have fun on Sunday. Pumpkins will be hidden in a haystack for them to find. There is also a bouncy castle.