Brochure - MortonMagnet

At The Pumpkin Farm, 16339 N.
Springfield Rd., located at the corner
of Allentown & Springfield Roads,
rural Groveland, near Morton IL.
Take I-155 to the Broadway exit
south of Morton, go about 4 miles to
Springfield Rd., turn left and about
1mile you will reach Punkin
Chuckin. Just watch for the signs!
Director of Tourism
200 S. First Ave
Morton, Illinois 61550
Where will we Chuck ‘Em?
Admission- $5.00 per vehicle
Susan Pyles
Director of Tourism
200 S. First Ave
Morton, Illinois 61550
www.morton-il.gov
www.mortonmagnet.com
Phone: 309-266-5135
Email: [email protected]
309-266-5135
www.morton-il.gov
www.mortonmagnet.com
What in the World Is a
Punkin Chuckin’ Contest?
The Morton Punkin Chuckin’
Contest, sponsored by four Morton
service associations, is patterned
after the similar event held in
Lewes, Delaware and was started
in Morton in 1996.
The Lewes World Championship Punkin Chunkin’ began in
1986 when a group of men sat in a
local blacksmith shop arguing over
who could throw an anvil the
farthest. Somehow anvils became
pumpkins, and Punkin Chunkin’
was born. Today, participants of all
ages build machines which are
used to hurl pumpkins as far as
possible.
Trophies are awarded for the
longest chuck in each category. A
traveling trophy is awarded as well,
to the overall contest winner.
Morton’s event has received national
and international recognition in several
publications such as The London Times,
Newsweek, Popular Mechanics, Sports Illustrated and The Wall Street Journal
(front page) as well as being featured in a
high school math book! In addition, the
Q36 established a Guinness Book World
Record at the 2001 Contest with a chuck of
4,491 feet. In 2002 they threw 4859 ft.
They have appeared on the David
Letterman show as a guest. Their hope, as
well as the hope of the other Air Cannon
contestants, is to throw the elusive mile.
The Acme Catapult Company is another local team that has performed on the
national stage. Their appearance on Leno
was highlighted by Dolly Parton launching
a basket of honeydew melons. They have
tossed appliances, bowling balls, and
thousand of pumpkins in the last 20 years.
A variety of machines participate
in the Morton contest: catapults,
trebuchets, and some whose category
needs to be determined upon their
arrival. A hand tossed event is offered
for those of us who can’t build a machine.
Folks of all ages will find
something of interest, like the pulled
pork sandwiches, Pumpkin Chili,
Pumpkin Funnel Cakes or muffins.
Carnival rides, and activities offer a
taste of country fun and excitement to
the day. Bring your lawn chairs & join
us for this different Fall event.
PUNKIN CHUCKIN’ - bringing
agriculture and engineering together
for the fun of it!