Community hopes to “Save the Chunk”

Frank Shade, the director of media and promotions for Punkin Chunkin says, “We’ll never throw in the towel. We’ve thrown towels, pumpkins, and everything else.”

Shade says organizers aren’t giving up on the competition that’s been cancelled two years in a row. 

The community hopes they don’t either. A Facebook page called “Save the Chunk” has been launched with folks like Delaware State Senator Brian Pettyjohn backing it. He’s urging people to contact the Delaware state senate executive committee to support a bill introduced for liability caps.

The reason stems from an ATV accident at the event in 2011. It sparked a multi-million dollar personal injury lawsuit. In the end, it caused Punkin Chunkin to lose out on the Sussex County farm where it was held. It also deterred others from offering up their land for them to use.

This year the event was supposed to be held on the Woodlands at the Dover International Speedway, but it was cancelled for insurance issues. 

Shade continues, “People put in a lot of time and effort. They get all emotionally involved with this and that’s why everybody is so disappointed.”

This is why organizers say they have to do something during the weekend the massive event was planned for.

Shade goes on, “We’re going to invite members that are local enough and close enough. They can bring their own machines and come out, set up, throw, and just have fun.”

Shade says it will be just for Punkin Chunkin Association members. It also won’t be a fundraising event like usual because there isn’t enough time to get the necessary permits.

Shade says, “We’re not going to measure them. We’re not going to party all night. We’re  just going to come out and throw pumpkins for the day.”

Organizers say this is just the start to getting back to their old event.

Shade replies, “Don’t give up on us yet.”  

Organizers say it’s looking like the event for the Punkin Chunkin Association members will be held in Milton, but they have not yet confirmed an exact location.

And at last check,  the “Save the Chunk” Facebook page had more than eight hundred likes. If you would like to support it click here.