Inside Look At Discovery Channel: Road To Punkin Chunkin 2012 - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

HARBESON, Del. - It's the second day of autumn.  The countdown to a fall favorite, "Punkin Chunkin," has begun.  It's 39 days away, but already TV crews are hard at work.      

This year, Discovery Channel is following a group called "Chunkin' Under Da Influence."  Today, WMDT got an exclusive "behind the scenes" look at filming.  

"The Road to Punkin Chunkin is a lot of blood sweat and tears," said Ralph Smith, one of the owners of the "Chunkin' Under Da Influence" cannon. 

Another owner, Wayne Wallace spoke with Discovery Channel crews, adding: "We're here to blow this trailer up."

But other field producer wasn't convinced with the words and tone of Wallace.  She wanted more. "I'll tell you what, as soon as I get some content on what you're going to do at the Chunk, then we'll shoot some pumpkins."

She looked over at one of the crew members of "Chunkin.'" "Patty, talk to the group."

Patty walked up front, looked at her crew and spoke, "winning, safety, family, pumpkins."

But one of her mates did not agree, "Family, what does family got to do with it this is punkin chunkin?"

Laughter from the entire group filled the air.  But what's next?  Why did the "Chunkin'" group come out to film the shoot?

"It gives us an opportunity to come out and play with this [cannon]," said owner Smith.

"That's right.  That's right.  Are you going to shoot it? [Kid answers 'yes'].  We're going to let Dominick shoot the first one out of here today guys," said owner Wallace.

Then, it was time.  The generator kicked on. 

Air filled through the cannon chamber. The horn sounded.

"Fire in the hole!"

A white pumpkin flew through the air, at speeds what seemed faster than the speed of light.  The trailer window shattered.  Excitement rang at a louder decibel than the generator.

"This is Sussex County," said Smith.  "This is what we do here."

Pumpkin Chunkin takes place on Nov. 2-4 and the Road To Punkin Chunkin 2012 will air on Discovery Channel around the same time.  For more information, check out the Punkin Chunkin website.