Future of Punkin Chunkin is up in the air

The future of pumpkins flying over Sussex County is up in the air. The organizers of the World Famous Punkin Chunkin have announced that their 2017 event will go on, but it may be their last. 

"We have to be realistic about the future, without big donors and sponsors to replace what we've lost in the past," says Frank Payton , the President of the World Punkin Chunkin Association.

Last year tragedy struck Punkin Chunkin when a pumpkin launching machine backfired sending heavy debris flying through the air.

During the accident, three people were injured, and one was critically injured. The critically injured person was a producer for the Science Channel, who was the event's main sponsor.  Soon after that the Science Channel cut ties with the organization.
 
"We lost the Science Channel money, there was sponsors associated with the Science Channel that are obviously not returning without their involvement, I mean we're struggling," says Payton.

Officials fear the loss of Pumpkin Chunkin could mean more than just the loss of a tradition, but also a loss of  tourism dollars.

"When the event came back the first weekend in November, hotel occupancy was up 12 percent compared to the same weekend the prior year when there was no event. It shows you the pull that this event has. You're talking about people traveling and driving from 40 plus U.S. states and addition, to some foreign countries, I mean this has far reaching gravity for Sussex County,"says Scott Thomas, the Executive Director for Southern Delaware Tourism.

"It shows you the pool that this event has and you're talking about people traveling and driving from 40 plus US states and addition to some foreign countries, I mean this has far reaching gravity for Sussex County," says Thomas.

However,  there is a chance Punkin Chunkin weathers this storm. Organizers are hopeful that the community will support them in keeping this Sussex county tradition alive.

"We need people knocking on our doors saying hey I want to support a tradition and we're going to bring it back to continue in 2018," says Payton.

The event is known for donating its profits back to the local community. Last year the event donated more than $50,000.The 32nd annual Punkin Chunkin will be held this year from November 3-5.

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