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Oh my gourd! Colorado’s legendary fall festival 'Punkin Chunkin' is back

Punkin Chunkin Day 2
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AURORA, Colo. — Punkin Chunkin Colorado — Aurora’s legendary pumpkin launching competition — is flying into fall with all-new activities, including a larger-than-life pumpkin-carved display and Carve War’s chainsaw carving competition!

Proudly supported by Denver7, this family-friendly festival is scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21 and from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22 at the Arapahoe Park racetrack, 26000 E. Quincy Ave.

Over 20 teams of chunkers from across the country will compete to break world records and gain bragging rights using a wide variety of air cannons, trebuchets and even a jet engine. Punkin Chunkin teams compete in divisions based on their type of machine — air cannon, trebuchet, catapult, centrifugal, torsion, human powered and youth. Division winners are those with the farthest launch, along with one overall distance winner. The farthest pumpkin ever launched at Punkin Chunkin Colorado was nearly a mile: 4,787 feet!

In addition to cheering for their favorite team of pumpkin chunkers, visitors can pick their own prized pumpkin from the patch and enjoy pony rides, a petting zoo, a pumpkin carver, face painting, crafts, Carve War’s chainsaw carving competition and other family activities. New to the festival this year are larger-than-life pumpkin carved displays. Pumpkins will line various parts of Punkin Chunkin to culminate in a larger-than-life pumpkin carved display.

Beer, as well as alcoholic beverages, will be available for purchase and food vendors will be serving up favorite festival treats.

Parking is free, and tickets at the gate are $5 for ages 5 and older; children age 4 and younger are free.

For more information, visit AuroraGov.org/PunkinChunkin.