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Folks created all manner of devices to launch pumpkins into the air at the annual Punkin Chunkin Festival in Brasstown. Photos by Noah Shatzer -
Patrons are always hungry for pie. -
Even Superman loves funnel cake. -
Creative costumes are just part of the fall fun. -
Hayrides were offered for free during the festival, which had far better weather Sunday than Saturday. -
Appropriately, pumpkin pies were used for the eating contest. -
T-shirts were dropped from the air as planes flew over the proceedings.
Brasstown – Despite cool temperatures and intermittent rain, several hundred people converged on Settawig Road to watch pumpkins fly Saturday.
Even more came out Sunday, when warmer weather and dry skies prevailed. Pam Roman – director of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the annual Punkin Chunkin – said about 16,000 people attended during the two days. This includes volunteers, vendors and attendees, both paying and non-paying.
The 2019 Punkin Chunkin was the 11th year for the popular event, which draws visitors from all over the Southeast. Local favorites Hayesville Hurlers and their air cannon had the longest shot of the weekend at 2,643 feet.
The returning former world champions, Team Carbo, launched a pumpkin 2,381 feet, while First in Fright’s longest throw was 1,935 feet. OFC Knightmare’s longest pumpkin chunk was 1,248 feet.
Some teams traveled many miles to compete for the coveted title of Clay County’s Punkin Chunkin Champion. Team Carbo drove from Clayton, while First in Fright made the drive from Chapel Hill and OFC Knightmare traveled all the way from Midland, Mich. Unfortunately, the other two local teams – Argos and Resident Aliens – both had technical difficulties that took them out of chunking pumpkins.
In addition to the pumpkin launchings, many people seem to come to the event for the wide variety of fun food, which included everything from pickled eggs and fresh fried pork skins to fried Oreos, funnel cakes, bratwurst and burgers. The fried spiral potatoes made by the Clay County American Legion Ladies Auxiliary always have a long line, just like the award-winning barbecue, and the Kona Ice truck even had lines despite a cool day.
Since Saturday’s pie-eating competition was cancelled due to rain, three pie-eating contests were held Sunday. Roman said the contest was hilariously messy.