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.