Parkland Students, Faculty to Officiate in World Championship Punkin Chunkin Contest

Parkland College Land Surveying students and faculty will be official surveyors at this weekend's "World Championship Punkin Chunkin" event in Rantoul.
 
Using high accuracy GPS equipment, Kory Allred, Land Surveying faculty member, will lead a group of students to set team areas and measure pumpkin flight distances from more than 30 “machines” signed up to participate in this annual event, which takes place at the former Chanute Airforce Base Nov. 2 and 3.
 
“It will be a great experience for the students that allows them to utilize the skills learned in classes in new ways!” Allred said.
 
Additionally, Todd Horton, Construction Management program director, will be entering the competition with his own punkin’-chunkin’ machine.
 
The two-day contest will allow three shots by each machine to determine the 2019 World Champion: two shots fired on Saturday and a final competition shot on Sunday. Usually held in Delaware, the competition has moved to Illinois for the first time outside of its home state.
 
The World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association (WCPCA) will carry on a tradition started more than 35 years ago with this year’s event, according to Frank Payton III, WCPCA president. The WCPCA is a trademark, all-volunteer nonprofit that raises money for scholarships and organizations that benefit the local community. It hosts a signature pumpkin-launching event each year, fueling innovative engineering and science-based ideas that draw spectators from all over.
 
A weekend pass to the Championship is $20, and daily passes may be purchased online for $10 per day. Admission at the competition will be $15 per day (cash only). Children under 10 will be able to enter the event for free.
 
For more information visit the World Championship Punkin Chunkin website at punkinchunkin.com.