This October the Estancia Rotary Club is kicking off fall the same way they have for 28 years: by launching pumpkins as far as they possibly can with mechanical devices.
Families, community-serving groups, vendors, pie connoisseurs, slingshot engineers, travelers from around New Mexico and anyone looking to spend a cool afternoon outdoors will be gathered Oct. 12 about a mile west of Highway 55 in Estancia for the 28th Annual Punkin’ Chunkin’ celebration.
Estancia Rotary Club President Victoria Sedillo said the party will have a parade around 10:30 a.m., singers and artwork from local schools, an obstacle course and go carts brought by the National Guard. They will even crown a Punkin’ Chunkin’ prince and princess. The pumpkin pie eating contest is so popular that other pie flavors like apple sometimes need to be substituted once all the pumpkin pies have been devoured.
According to Sedillo, the Punkin’ Chunkin’ is more than just a local celebration, and people travel from afar to attend the event. The Estancia Rotary Club invites everyone to come chill out and maybe even try their hand at launching. For $1, anyone who is interested can go out into the field themselves and see how far they can make a pumpkin fly.
There is a science to the launches. Launching devices include slingshots, catapults, trebuchets and pneumatic air cannons and have names like “The Judge” and “Beedazzled” the bee. The pumpkins — which are donated by local farmers — are painted so they can be properly identified for distance and accuracy after smashing to bits upon impact. Sedillo says they can’t just throw any pumpkin out there, and each pumpkin is specially grown and measured to a perfect 5-inch diameter. If any of the competitors hurl their pumpkins far enough, they might even qualify to compete in the National Punkin’ Chunkin’ event in Delaware.
“I feel like they’re hooked a lot of times when they come because they really don’t know what it’s about.” Sedillo said. “It’s such a relaxing atmosphere and a fun day that they want to come back. People collect T-shirts and mugs every year.”
Estancia Rotary 28th Annual Punkin’ Chunkin’
Oct. 12
8 a.m.
Highway 55 1.5 miles east of NMSH 41 in Estancia
$5 (kids 5 and under free)