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The Delaware Tourism Office recently announced the American Bus Association has designated the World Championship Punkin Chunkin as one of the top-100 events in North America for 2008. Punkin Chunkin, held the first weekend in November, attracts thousands of spectators to rural Sussex County every year to witness competing teams sling, launch or fire pumpkins from massive, engineered contraptions.
The 23rd annual Punkin Chunkin will kick off Friday, Oct. 31, in Bridgeville, with a return appearance by the Charlie Daniels Band at 7 p.m., followed by former Alabama frontman Randy Owen at 8 p.m. Throughout the weekend, there is a carnival area with amusement rides, food vendors and cooking contests featuring homespun pumpkin recipes.
“The World Championship Punkin Chunkin has earned a national reputation for its tailgating, bands and mechanized pumpkin-tossing contests, but the entertainment value is only part of why the event was selected by the American Bus Association this year,” said Linda Parkowski, director of tourism for the Delaware Economic Development Office.
“Punkin Chunkin has been recognized as a magnet for tourism dollars, at a time when reenergizing domestic tourism is so important to our spirit and our economy. The honor gives the World Championship Punkin Chunkin an important boost in visibility among professional tour planners.”
The top-100 list will be published as a supplement to the September/October issue of “Destinations” magazine.
The American Bus Association’s 2008 Top 100 Events Selection Committee selected the World Championship Punkin Chunkin from among hundreds of U.S. and Canadian events nominated by state and provincial tourism offices and convention and visitors’ bureaus. Judges considered the event’s broad appeal, its accessibility to motorcoaches and skill at handling large groups and a variety of other relevant criteria.
Reach the Delaware Tourism Office toll-free at 866-284-7483.
World Championship Punkin Chunkin
• Friday, Oct. 31 to Sunday, Nov. 2; gates open at 7:30 a.m.
• Friday night concert – Charlie Daniels Band, Randy Owen
• Concert tickets - $40
• Event tickets - $7 in advance, $9 at gate
• Event held at Dale Wheatley farm, Bridgeville
• Camping available
See top-100 events at: at.buses.org
Visit Delaware Tourism at: www.visitdelaware.com
Find Punkin Chunkin info at: www.punkinchunkin.com
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