When the Howard Volunteer Fire Company stages a fundraiser fling, it means business.
Back again, the company’s “Punkin Chunkin” festival on Oct. 20 will launch pumpkins across Sayers Lake in Bald Eagle State Park. The event’s debut last year was inspired by the annual world championship of pumpkin chucking in Delaware.
There, catapults, air cannons and trebuchets — a medieval weapon that uses a sling on a pivoted arm triggered by a falling weight — hurl pumpkins hundreds of feet at more than 400 mph.
As a sport, it’s not Olympics material, but it provided solid-gold entertainment to scores of spectators last year at the state park. Festival Chairman George Demchak said the fire company estimated 9,000 people attended the festival.
This time around promises more pumpkin-power.
Four full-sized launching machines — double last year’s artillery — will include one that competed in Delaware. Children and adults who want to send their own orange orbs splashing into the lake can buy tickets to fire two smaller machines.
But from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., there’ll be more than pumpkin projectiles.
Three bands are scheduled to play, and a chain-saw carver and blacksmith will demonstrate their crafts.
In addition, the festival has a pie-eating contest, hay rides, more than 60 craft vendors, food stands and raffles for a one-night stay at the park’s Nature Inn and other prizes.
Parking and admission will be free. For more information call 625-9151.
Dedicated to the core
Organizers of the Milesburg Museum and Historical Society’s annual Apple Harvest Festival and Car Show are not going to repeat their mistake.
“This year we are making hundreds of apple dumplings,” said museum trustee Virginia Letterman, who’s in charge of the dumpling committee. “Last year we ran out.”
She and others are busy this week baking 300 to 400 of the festival’s famous dumplings — among the attractions 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in Milesburg.
Starting with a pancake breakfast, the 12th festival has a full lineup planned. For the car show, more than 100 vintage entries will join motorcycles along Market and Centre streets. The museum nearby will be open, with a quilt display in the newly renovated second floor.
Out on Market, the Wingate Elementary School choir will sing at 11 a.m., followed by the Parlor Pickers bluegrass band at 1 p.m. and the country band Phaze 2 an hour later. While listening, festivalgoers can browse nearby craft tables or sample food from museum volunteers and the Milesburg Lions Club.
Letterman said the festival “brings the community together,” drawing former residents back.
“It’s sort of a reunion,” she said. “Of course, we raise money for the upkeep of the museum. That’s basically why we have this.”
Chris Rosenblum can be reached at 231-4620. Follow him on Twitter @CRosenblumNews
