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Homemade catapults, flying pumpkins and a standing record of 861 feet. This is a real thing and it happens in Stowe!
The Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival takes over the Stowe Events Field for one day every fall, and this year it lands on Sunday September 27th.
Teams build their own trebuchets and launch pumpkins as far as they possibly can, across four weight divisions and three rounds through the afternoon.
And the best part about it is that it’s all a fundraiser for the Clarina Howard Nichols Center.
🎃 Quick Information About the Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival
📍 Where: Stowe Events Field, 120 Weeks Hill Rd, Stowe, VT 05672
🎃 What is it?
It’s a one day festival built around people launching pumpkins out of homemade trebuchets, which are gravity powered catapults.
There are four divisions, Heavyweight, Middleweight Open, Middleweight Junior and Lightweight, and the current record to beat is 861 feet. 🏆
The rounds run at 12:30pm, 1:30pm and 2:30pm, with the awards straight after the last one. There’s an $800 prize pot split across the divisions, plus $100 for best overall design. 🥇
Alongside the chuckin’ there’s a chili cook off and a volleyball tournament, which had 22 teams last year. 🌶️
Six food trucks are on site, over 40 local artisans selling crafts, live music through the day and activities for the kids. 🎶
📅 When: Sunday September 27th 2026, 11am to 4pm
🎟️ Admission: $10 per person, free for children 5 and under
🅿️ Parking: Free, with accessible spaces available
💵 Bring cash: The festival is cash only. There is an ATM on site but you’ll save yourself the queue by turning up with cash already
🚫 Not allowed: No dogs, and no outside food or drink
🌐 More information: 👉 vtpumpkinchuckin.blogspot.com
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