By Maureen Vander Sanden
Correspondent
The Greater Union Grove Area Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for a smashing good time Saturday, Oct. 24 and Sunday, Oct. 25 when it hosts its annual Great Pumpkin Chuckin Fest at the Racine County Fairgrounds.
“The Great Pumpkin Chuckin Fest is the best fall fest ever,” according to Chamber Director Jennifer Ditscheit, who said it has been a favorite among families in the community for nearly two decades. Among other activities, the fest is known for its “all-things pumpkin” bake-off, chili chook-off, kids costume contest and parade, games, pumpkin bowling, live music, food and beer.
Last year the Chamber first introduced what quickly became a main attraction – the Pumpkin Chuckin competition.
Spectators watch fall’s signature squash fly through the air as teams launch the pumpkins with mechanical devices they designed in an effort to gain the most distance.
Though participants are not limited to youngsters, the Chamber first reached out to area schools to attract students enrolled in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) curriculum in order to challenge their engineering skills in a fun, hands-on way, according to Ditscheit.
Teams will be competing in three design areas for a $250 cash prize. They include trebuchet, catapult and slingshot.
Last year, the first-pace slingshot went to Wolfpack Racing, which launched 230 feet.
Union Grove Kiwanis designed the best catapult, with a 75-foot launch and Union Grove High School earned first with its trebuchet, clearing 303 feet.
“This year we expect to have 10-12 teams compete,” the Chamber director said.
Launches are scheduled for 11 a.m., 1 p.m. 3, p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, and noon and 2 p.m. on Sunday, with exhibition launches built in as well.
With its growing popularity and partnerships including the Racine County Agricultural Society, for 2015, the Chamber expanded the fall fun into two days.
Ditscheit said the Chamber is proud to announce that this year, Union Grove will host the Kansas-City Barbecue Society-sanctioned Best of the Midwest BBQ Cook-Off as part of the autumn attractions.
“The Best of the Midwest BBQ has added a lot of excitement to this year’s event,” said Ditscheit. “We currently have 36 teams from across the Midwest registered to compete.”
“We even have a BBQ team that is entering the Chuckin contest,” she added.
Other new attractions include a concert, adult costume contest, carnival rides, a potato launch challenge, the Racine Zoo, barrel rides and even more food and commercial vendors.
The festival will be rounded out with traditional favorites that have drawn crowds throughout the years, like the chili cook-off, pumpkin baking contest and pie auction.
Ditscheit encourages anyone who’s ready to show off their seasonal culinary skills to enter one of the competitions. To register or for more information visit pumpkinchuckin.com
Ditscheit anticipates another great turn-out this year, noting there are activities for people of all ages, and the event is free of charge, she said, thanks in part to sponsorships from Subway, Runzheimer, Case IH and other area businesses.
“We are still looking for a few people to help make this event a smashing success,” she added. “If you would like to be a part of this great event, contact the Chamber at [email protected].
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