Fruit to fly in Punkin Chunkin-style event in Dorchester
If your anticipation to see the Eastern Shore once again dotted with mushy orange craters is too much, the organizers behind Punkin Chunkin are bringing something to tide over your need for flying fruits.
The 1st Annual Great American Watermelon Blast is coming to Linkwood, Maryland, on Saturday, Aug. 27, where the pumpkin-launching siege machines will instead be sending the green-skinned melons skyward.
Frank Payton, president of the World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association, said the decision to bring the association-sanctioned event to Dorchester County was an easy one.
“The people in Dorchester County really wanted us to bring Punkin Chunkin there” before the event ended up in it’s original Sussex location, Payton said.
BACKGROUND: Maryland could be home to 2016's Punkin Chunkin
“They were rolling out the red carpet for us, so when we had the opportunity to host this there we took it. And they have a huge watermelon industry over there so we figured why not?”
Amanda Fenstermaker, director of the Dorchester County Office of Tourism, says that while they were disappointed Punkin Chunkin found its way back home to Bridgeville, Delaware, the county was thrilled to be hosting the inaugural Watermelon Blast.
“We worked hard with the folks from Punkin Chunkin to have the event here because it’s so unique and agriculture is such an important part of the county,” Fenstermaker said. “But this was a great opportunity for us to have an event with them and we’re excited to have it here.”
Payton said that this event should be a little smaller and more relaxed than Punkin Chunkin, with more of a focus on fun instead of competition.
“It’s a little more low-scale without the competition of Punkin Chunkin events,” he said. “It won’t be about everyone trying to beat everyone else’s distance, so everyone will be winning.”
While Payton said that the watermelons can’t hope to achieve the same range as a pumpkin, the end result is far messier and more dramatic.
“The big difference between pumpkins and watermelons is that the melons have a whole lot more water in them, so when they hit the ground they make a really big splash,” he said. “It’s sort of like a Gallagher show, only with cannons and catapults instead of a mallet.”
Other than those differences, the event should be reminiscent of Punkin Chunkin, Payton said. Targets will be fired upon by launchers of all shapes and sizes, vendors will be selling food and the local fire department will be selling alcohol to attendees.
If you’re interested in witnessing the spectacle, the Great American Watermelon Blast will be held at Breckenridge Adventures in Linkwood, Md., Saturday, Aug. 27, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tickets are $20 with admission free for children 12 and under. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.watermelonblast.com.