By Lauren Lifke
Locals and travelers alike will gather on Oct. 12 in the Town of Estancia for a day of pie-eating, pageantry, competition and pumpkin-catapulting during the town’s 29th annual Punkin’ Chunkin’ event.
The event, held by the Moriarty Rotary Club, kicks off the morning with a parade, according to Estancia Rotary volunteer and President Victoria Sedillo. All money raised for the event goes toward operating costs for the following year and for scholarships for graduating seniors at Estancia High School, Sedillo said.
The benefits don’t stop just for older kids — elementary school students are invited to run for Punkin’ Chunkin’ prince and princess. The pageant is a fundraiser, with participants voting with their dollars. The student who gets the most votes, and consequently raises the most money, wins, Sedillo said.
The highlight, though, is the main event: catapulting pumpkins. Families and organizations bring their own catapults, and the crowd waits in excitement.
At the end of the event, the public is invited to launch their own pumpkins for $1 per ticket.
“Our people that own the launchers — they’re pretty amazing,” Sedillo said.” “They’re tired, and they’ve been slinging pumpkins all day, but they still take that time to let the public go out and shoot pumpkins if they choose to do that.”
Sedillo’s favorite event, though, is the pie-eating contest, she said. She has been a part of the event for several years, and she sees camaraderie in the contest, as it invites people of all ages to participate — from toddlers to adults.
New this year, Sedillo said, is the Punkin’ Chunkin’ mascot, Al “Gourdo.”
“This is our story: Al ‘Gourdo’ was born at Punkin’ Chunkin’. He was from one of the smashed pumpkins that got launched,” Sedillo said. “He will be the grand marshal in our parade this year.”
Ultimately, Sedillo’s favorite aspect overall is the community and camaraderie she gets out of the event every year.
Sedillo has seen people come from out-of-state, out of town and locally to the event. Eventgoers always show generosity, knowing that the event is going to a good cause.
“When you get total strangers thanking you for putting on this event for such a good cause, and willing to give you extra money for your cause, it’s pretty amazing,” Sedillo said. “It makes you feel good, and it makes you feel like your job is worth all the hard work.”
Directions for the event and more details can be found at the Rotary’s Facebook page.
