Pumpkins take flight at inaugural HOSC event

DUANE SHERRILL Editor

Pumpkins took to the skies Saturday as the Hands-On Science Center hosted its inaugural Pumpkin Chunkin’ event, sending hundreds of former jack-o’-lanterns and fall decorations soaring through the air before crashing to the ground to the delight of spectators.

The event attracted hundreds of visitors to the center’s campus, where pumpkins were launched using a handmade trebuchet and a high-pressure air cannon, with some traveling more than 270 feet. Tullahoma Mayor Lynn Sebourn and Alderman Matthew Bird joined the festivities, launching pumpkins from a trebuchet designed by Hands-On Science Center Executive Director Austin Sisco. The medievalstyle launching device, which uses a counterweight to propel objects, sent pumpkins flying between 80 and 100 feet.

Mayor Lynn Sebourn mans the trebuchet as a young pumpkin chucker pulls the rip cord. – Kyle Murphy photo

Nearby, Perikin Enterprises demonstrated its high-pressure air cannon, launching smaller pumpkins considerably farther. The longest recorded shot traveled 275 feet, while the team struck its designated target on the third attempt. Christie Conlee, strategic engagement manager with Perikin Enterprises, said the company became involved after being contacted in late September. The team invested approximately 20 man-hours designing and building the cannon. Conlee said the crew is already looking forward to next year’s event.

The inaugural celebration drew approximately 250 people during its first half alone, combining post-Halloween entertainment with hands-on demonstrations of engineering and physics. Organizers are already considering expanding next year’s event, including building a larger trebuchet to compete with the air cannon. Plans could also include an engineering competition among local firms, testing both launching distance and accuracy.

With a strong inaugural turnout, Pumpkin Chunkin’ could become an annual Tullahoma tradition, proving that science, engineering and a few hundred flying pumpkins make for an entertaining combination.

Even the smashed pumpkins will serve a purpose. Organizers said both unused pumpkins and those destroyed during the launches will be donated to a local goat farmer.

Check out the highlight video and photo gallery below here:

Pumpkins were flying this past Saturday for the Hands-On Science Center’s Pumpkin Chunkin’ event. The day saw a consistent line of kids and adults bringing their pumpkins to be launched by either a handmade trebuchet or a high-pressure air cannon. Video by Kyle Murphy.