Punkins prepared to be propelled
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 11 years, 3 months AGO
<p>Larry Knapp, owner of Knapps' Farm on Green Bluff north of Spokane, prepares to launch a pumpkin Saturday from his air pressure-powered cannon. Knapp has been launching the gourds at a distant target every Saturday and Sunday in October for 11 years. The region's supreme punkin' pitcher uses straw for wadding and, with 32 pounds of air pressure per blast, hurtles the pumpkin projectiles at 900 feet per second. Knapp takes his shots just about every half hour each Saturday and Sunday, but alas, he has never hit the target.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - The fruit is going to fly.
The second Punkin Chunkin Fall Festival is coming to the Kootenai County Fairgrounds Nov. 2. It's an all-day event where people can send their carved jack-o-lanterns and other autumnal produce sailing into the air via catapults and slingshots.
Along with the pumpkin launching, activities will include a bounce hall, a tumbling obstacle course, music, a children's zone and samples and appetizers provided by various restaurants.
General entry and parking will be free. Tickets will be available at the event for $1 each, and they can be used to sample foods and enjoy the activities.
Not only is this a family-friendly event, but it raises money to help low-income seniors through the nonprofit organization ElderHelp of North Idaho. Last year's Punkin Chunkin grossed $5,000, and ElderHelp's executive director Jerry Boggs said this year, they're aiming higher.
"This year we'd like to bump that up to at least $7,500, even $10,000," Boggs told The Press.
Event organizers are seeking sponsors and open to the idea of vendors with a fall/winter theme. Sponsors can actively participate and show their wares. Boggs said they are also looking "for businesses who would sponsor on the basis of simply supporting their community" and advertising on the ElderHelp website, www.elderhelpofnorthidaho.org, is guaranteed. Multiple sponsorship levels are available.
Boggs said there is also room for more restaurants to get involved. Currently, a handful of restaurants are signed up, but he said they would love to have at least a dozen.
"My favorite part of last year's event was the energy and happiness that pervaded the entire area in which Punkin Chunkin 2012 occurred, at the fairgrounds," Boggs said. "Even though it was a cool, windy and constantly rainy day, something between 400-500 people (fairgrounds staff estimate) showed up, had fun and helped to support the low-income seniors of Kootenai County that ElderHelp supports. Even though we, i.e. ElderHelpers and other volunteers, were a bit cold, a bit wet and, later definitely a bit tired, we had as much fun as the attendees, maybe more."
Punkin Chunkin Fall Festival 2013 will begin at 10 a.m. on Nov. 2 and last until 5 p.m. For sponsorship or general information visit the website or call (208) 661-8870.
