Punkin Chunkin (Not Pumpkin Chuckin) began because a few guys were a bit bored. But, they were also getting a bit old. To pass the time, they used to toss anvils. However, those were getting a bit hard as these guys began hitting their 30's. And, they didn't come up with the idea in a bar, as many think. They talked about it at John Ellsworth's blacksmith shop. There was also Don Pepper (Plumber), Trey Melson [Died in 2004] (Well-digging contractor) and Bill Thompson (Contractor). So, way back in October of 1986 a few weeks before Halloween, they came up with the idea of tossing pumpkins. Only they'd have machines do it because it was easier than them doing it. And, they had four basic rules: (1) Pumpkins had to weigh between 8-10 lbs. (2) Pumpkins had to leave the machine whole and not in pieces. (3) The machines could not cross the starting line. (4) No explosives at all!
So, the first Saturday after Halloween in 1986 was November 1. The four guys and another friend named Larry McLaughlin (A city employee of Lewes, DE) all met out in a field along with 40 people or more. The only refreshments at that time were a few bottles of Boones Strawberry Hill wine. The machines were very crude and at that time the guys really didn't know what they were doing. Melson and Thompson were one team, with a machine that had a huge wooden bow and was powered by springs. Brothers, Chuck and Darryl Burton's machine was more like a catapult and became team two. John Ellsworth and Don Pepper made up team 3 which was a giant slingshot per se. It was a large rubber cord between poles in the ground. So who won? Team One won. Melson and Thompson tossed 178 feet to become the first Pumpkin Chunkin winners!
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