Pumpkin Hurl's Second Whirl

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor-

For the second time in as many years, pumpkins will be flying through the air and it won't be the result of Halloween tricksters.

Once again, the Pumpkin Hurl, sponsored by the Bowen Center, is set for Halloween weekend. This year's event is from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 1 in the field south of Petro Olds-Buick-Pontiac-Cadillac-GMC on Ind. 15N, Warsaw.

Last year's hurl attracted about 200 participants, according to Mike Szymanski of the Bowen Center. The pumpkin hurled the farthest traveled 117 feet and was flung by employees of Safe-Way Door, who created a hurling machine from garage door parts. In all, eight machines were entered in the contest and the rest of the people chose to hurl by hand.

Szymanski said that many of last year's participants plan to return this year and, once again, high school physics classes are being challenged to make hurling contraptions, such as huge slingshots, catapults, centrifugals and other machines to fling pumpkins.

An inquiry about the event has come in from Purdue University-North Central Campus at Chesterton, which Szymanski believes will be the participants traveling the furthest.

Rules state that no hydraulics, internal combustion, electricity, motors, gas or explosives can be used. Hurling devices must be approved by the judges before pumpkins are launched.

There is no entry fee for the pumpkin hurl and prizes will be awarded in three classes: ages 12 and under, hand throw; ages 12-18, hand throw and machine; ages 18 and over, hand throw and machine. Prizes will be awarded to the farthest throw and the most creative machine.

Entrants can bring their own pumpkins (a good way to recycle those old jack-o'-lanterns) or buy them on site. The pumpkin hurling will commence rain, snow or shine. Szymanski said the Pumpkin Hurl is targeted for families as a good way to spend time together, both while building a hurling machine and during the event.

Other sponsors of the event include Blosser's Camera and Video, Explorer Van and Centennial Wireless.

For more information, contact Szymanski at 267-7169, Ext. 434, or 800-342-5653. [[In-content Ad]]

For the second time in as many years, pumpkins will be flying through the air and it won't be the result of Halloween tricksters.

Once again, the Pumpkin Hurl, sponsored by the Bowen Center, is set for Halloween weekend. This year's event is from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 1 in the field south of Petro Olds-Buick-Pontiac-Cadillac-GMC on Ind. 15N, Warsaw.

Last year's hurl attracted about 200 participants, according to Mike Szymanski of the Bowen Center. The pumpkin hurled the farthest traveled 117 feet and was flung by employees of Safe-Way Door, who created a hurling machine from garage door parts. In all, eight machines were entered in the contest and the rest of the people chose to hurl by hand.

Szymanski said that many of last year's participants plan to return this year and, once again, high school physics classes are being challenged to make hurling contraptions, such as huge slingshots, catapults, centrifugals and other machines to fling pumpkins.

An inquiry about the event has come in from Purdue University-North Central Campus at Chesterton, which Szymanski believes will be the participants traveling the furthest.

Rules state that no hydraulics, internal combustion, electricity, motors, gas or explosives can be used. Hurling devices must be approved by the judges before pumpkins are launched.

There is no entry fee for the pumpkin hurl and prizes will be awarded in three classes: ages 12 and under, hand throw; ages 12-18, hand throw and machine; ages 18 and over, hand throw and machine. Prizes will be awarded to the farthest throw and the most creative machine.

Entrants can bring their own pumpkins (a good way to recycle those old jack-o'-lanterns) or buy them on site. The pumpkin hurling will commence rain, snow or shine. Szymanski said the Pumpkin Hurl is targeted for families as a good way to spend time together, both while building a hurling machine and during the event.

Other sponsors of the event include Blosser's Camera and Video, Explorer Van and Centennial Wireless.

For more information, contact Szymanski at 267-7169, Ext. 434, or 800-342-5653. [[In-content Ad]]

Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

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