Punkin Chunkin association looks for new venue

Pumpkins are not likely to fly in the skies over Dover next fall, but World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association organizers say the event could return to Sussex County next year.

For the past two years, the association has fallen short in efforts to put on the event on the grounds of Dover International Speedway. Now, the association is actively seeking a new venue for its 2016 event.

“We are not ruling anything out, but the challenges of having the event there make it less than ideal,” said Association President Ricky Nietubicz. “Dover is a good partner, but in this case, it's not a good fit. But it's not for a lack of trying.”

Nietubicz said the association is actively looking at sites in Sussex County and in Dorchester and Wicomico counties in Maryland. “We need to get a venue nailed down yesterday,” he said.

Because of the size and layout of land available in Dover, it would have not been possible for the public to safely view the air cannon distance competition, which is the most popular feature of Punkin Chunkin. “That represents a major change in the way we do the event,” Nietubicz said.

Nietubicz said each time the event has moved, its been able to find a larger location to accommodate larger crowds, more campers and longer pumpkin shots. The Dover site at The Woodlands was smaller than the previous Bridgeville location.

Event is cancelled in 2014, 2015

When a now-resolved lawsuit and insurance issues arose, owners of Wheatley Farm in Bridgeville – long-time venue for Punkin Chunkin – asked the organizers to find a new home following the 2013 event.

The 2014 was canceled when organizers said they ran out of time to make the move to the Dover location. Then this past fall, the association pulled the plug again saying they could not find adequate, affordable insurance to cover the event.

Nietubicz said companies will insure the event, but the details are complicated. “We don't have deep pockets and can't self insure. This past year so much was on hold because our insurance was on hold. Eventually, we ran out of time,” he said.

Looking for land in Sussex and Maryland

Next year marks the 30th anniversary of the event that started when a few Lewes friends got together after Halloween to throw pumpkins.

Nietubicz said it's paramount to have an event next fall. “It's been very disappointing over the past two years that we've not been able to get it together,” he said. “It would be ideal if we can bring the event back to Sussex County where it started and grew. It would be very unfortunate to go outside of Sussex County.”

However, he said, tourism officials on the Eastern Shore of Maryland have shown a strong interest in hosting Punkin Chunkin. “There are large pieces of property available there,” he said.

The event has grown so large that it's become a challenge to find an adequate tract of land. Nietubicz said the association needs at least 750 acres, but 1,000 acres would be ideal, including a minimum of 600 to 700 acres and a mile of clear land for the firing line and another 200 acres for parking and camping. The current world record for air cannons is 4,694 feet, set in 2013 by the New Hampshire American Chunker team.

Nietubicz said the interest in the event remains high. “There are a lot of people out there rooting for us, and a lot of people working for us,” he said.

Several teams have participated this year in licensed events in New Hampshire, Colorado and Pennsylvania.

“If anybody is remotely interested in hosting Punkin Chunkin, we would love to hear from them,” Nietubicz said.

He can be reached at president@punkinchunkin.com.