Rantoul, Illinois: World Champion Punkin Chunkin

Using homemade launchers, pumpkins are fired nearly a mile. Annual competition since 1986. Closed by legal issues in 2014 and '15, returned in 2016, cancelled in 2017 and '18, moved to Illinois 2019.

Rantoul National Aviation Center Airport

Address:: 6 Aviation Center Drive, Rantoul, IL
Directions:: Rantoul National Aviation Center Airport. I-57 exit 250. Drive east on US-136/Champaign Ave. for 1.5 miles. Turn right at the stoplight onto Century Blvd. Drive about one mile. Turn left at the four-way stop onto Borman Drive, then bear right at the flagpole onto Arends Blvd. Drive until the road turns left; you'll see the parking lot on the right.
Hours:: First weekend after Halloween. Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Admission:: Adults $15.
RA Rates:: Worth a Detour

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Visitor Tips and News About World Champion Punkin Chunkin

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Punkin Chunkin Puts Down Roots

Punkin Chunkin will remain in Delaware this year, to the relief of its home state supporters, and to fans everywhere of thrown pumpkins.

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[10/21/2007] Complete News Story

Proliferatin' Punkin' Chunkin'

I happened to plan a trip last November to Lewes Deleware, and was in town for the Punkin' Chunkin, but more important than the fact that Lewes was hosting a Punkin' Chunkin' was the fact that the local paper indicated there were about a dozen similar events across the US. Watch for a Punkin' Chunkin' near you!

[Paul, 03/26/2002]

Punkin' Chunkin'

In the Delaware "tips" section, a person mentioned "Pumpkin Chunk." The correct festival title is Punkin' Chunkin' and it takes place near Lewes the first Saturday and Sunday after Halloween. However, they are perhaps changing the location for 1998. We attended for the first time in 1997 and had a blast! Different classes for competition exist for human-powered and machine-powered distance throws and target competition. Some pumpkins are blasted from machines at speeds up to 400 mph, and you can't even see them speed by -- all you see is the orange spat up to a mile away from the firing line. They have a web site at www.punkinchunkin.com.

[K Melchi, 02/11/1998]