WATCH: Pumpkins were chucked and smashed in amazing ways during this annual Wright-Patt event

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

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By Ty Greenlees
Nov 3, 2018
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The 14th annual Pumpkin Chuck took place at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on Friday. For four hours, pumpkin-chucking machines flung the orange gourds along the runway near the Air Force Museum to the delight of participants and observers.

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Trophies on display with Class A pumpkin chucking machines at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on Friday afternoon. The 14th annual Pumpkin Chuck was sponsored by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Engineering Directorate's STEM outreach. More than 40 participants worked a dozen chucking machines to launch pumpkins from two pounds to 10 pounds as far as 3,800 feet. TY GREENLEES / STAFF

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The Air Force Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program sponsors the event to encourage younth participation.

“We’re trying to develop our junior work force and encourage these guys to come work for the Air Force one day,” said Pumpkin Chuck event coordinator Travis Flanagan in between voicing the countdown for multiple pumping launches.

A human-powered pumpkin launcher swings into action as ropes are pulled on each side of the machine at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on Friday afternoon. The 14th annual Pumpkin Chuck was sponsored by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Engineering Directorate's STEM outreach. More than 40 participants worked a dozen chucking machines to launch pumpkins from two pounds to 10 pounds as far as 3,800 feet. TY GREENLEES / STAFF

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More than 40 participants operated 12 chucking machines to smash pumpkins. The chucking machines are placed into classes related to the size of pumpkin they can chuck. Class A: 8-10 pound gourds, Class B: 2-3 pound gourds and Class C: human/team powered machines.

A trophy on display with Class A pumpkin chucking machines at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on Friday afternoon. The 14th annual Pumpkin Chuck was sponsored by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Engineering Directorate's STEM outreach. More than 40 participants worked a dozen chucking machines to launch pumpkins from two pounds to 10 pounds as far as 3,800 feet. TY GREENLEES / STAFF

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“Our Class A machines fire about 3,800 feet,” Flanagan said. “And our Class B’s have been averaging probably about 600 feet.”

Col. Chris Snyder's children Mallory and Ethan pull the pin of a Class B pumpkin chucker at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on Friday afternoon. The 14th annual Pumpkin Chuck was sponsored by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Engineering Directorate's STEM outreach. More than 40 participants worked a dozen chucking machines to launch pumpkins from two pounds to 10 pounds as far as 3,800 feet. TY GREENLEES / STAFF

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“Actually, the turnout today is unbelievable. I though today was going to be a rainy day but people still came out and we love it. Next year our goal is to grow the event bigger. We’re going to reach out to a lot more high schools and maybe extend it through the weekend,” Flanagan added.

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Ty Greenlees