South Dakota Mines Hosts Annual Pumpkin Chuckin’ Event

September 20, 2023
South Dakota Mines Hosts Annual Pumpkin Chuckin’ Event
A Mines student pulls the release pin on a pumpkin trebuchet during the annual festival. 

South Dakota Mines plans to hold its annual pumpkin catapult competition at the Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23 in Memorial Park.

The immensely popular pumpkin chuckin' event is hosted by South Dakota Mines' CAMP, drawing thousands of spectators who watch student-built catapults and trebuchets fling pumpkins hundreds of feet into the air in a competition of both distance and accuracy.  

The team that comes closest to hitting 100, 200 and 250-foot marks on the field wins the trophy. Teams from area high schools are also invited to attend and often place very well against the collegiate teams.

The first round will begin at 10:30 a.m.; the final round at noon will determine the winners.