Ready and…launch! Much like the way the holidays seem to have come barreling towards us this year, pumpkin after pumpkin will be sent rocketing across the sky in Punkin Chunkin, airing Saturday November 29 at 8pm ET/CT on Science Channel and Discovery.
Hosted by Mythbusters own Tory Belleci and Kari Byron, the annual pumpkin-throwing contest is not for the faint of heart; while catapults and slingshots may have been the propellers of choice back when Punkin Chunkin started in 1986, the event has evolved to include military-grade cannons and trebuchets – and a commanding knowledge of everything from physics, mechanics and engineering.
Participating teams spend most of the year preparing, which includes everything from designing and building the propellers, hosting a series of dry runs and choosing the best, most aerodynamic pumpkins to send flying. Is it worth it? I’d say hard work pays off: last year’s winner, Brian Labrie, launched a pumpkin 4,694.68 feet!
Though the event was relocated from Delaware to Greenfield, New Hampshire this year, that didn’t stop hundreds of people from showing up to see pumpkins sail through the air (and land with a resounding “splat!”). Tune in to Punkin Chunkin this Saturday at 8pm ET/CT on Science Channel and Discovery to see if this year’s competitors were able to best Labrie’s 2013 record.
(Interested in learning more about Punkin Chunkin? Check out this AMA Tory and Kari hosted on Reddit earlier this week.)
Don’t miss other holiday specials & programs running through the weekend:
- Revenge of the Whale, Animal Planet, November 26 at 9pm ET/CT
- When Turkeys Attack, Destination America, November 26 at 10pm ET/CT
- Tanksgiving, American Heroes Channel, November 27th at 12pm ET/CT through 6am ET/CT November 28
- Pit Bulls and Parolees: Giving Thanks, Animal Planet, November 29 at 10pm ET/CT
