Attending the Punkin Chunkin Fall Festival at Bald Eagle State Park in Centre County is the perfect way to celebrate autumn in Pennsylvania!
Punkin Chunkin is the art and sport of launching pumpkins through the air with catapults, trebuchets, air cannons, and other home-engineered contraptions.
The event draws families, friends, and enthusiasts of the unusual from across the region for a day of unique entertainment, with the proceeds raised benefiting the local Howard Fire Company.
Hours | Directions | Admission Fees
The 2025 Punkin Chunkin Fall Festival takes place Saturday, October 18th, from 10 am to 5 pm.
The event takes place at the beach at Bald Eagle State Park.
Admission and parking are FREE (donations accepted and appreciated.)
What You’ll See at the Punkin Chunkin Fall Festival
One of the main highlights of the festival is the lineup of air cannons, trebuchets, and catapults launching pumpkins high into the sky and out over the lake.
The sheer power of the air cannons draws gasps and cheers from the crowd as pumpkins soar incredible distances before splashing down in the water.
The trebuchets, which are gravity-powered catapults using counterweights and slings, demonstrate an ancient technology that can hurl much heavier objects significantly farther than traditional catapults.
It’s both thrilling and educational to watch these massive machines in action.
Visitors also flock to rows of craft and food vendors, where everything from handmade goods to fair-style pizza and sweets are available.
Families with children can enjoy the bounce house and an array of fun games scattered throughout the park.
Emergency vehicle displays, including fire trucks from the Howard Volunteer Fire Company, are always a big draw, allowing kids and adults alike to get an up-close look.
Another crowd favorite is the pumpkin pie eating contest, where participants dive in headfirst for bragging rights.
The Howard Volunteer Fire Company, which organizes the event, benefits from donations and merchandise sales throughout the day, ensuring the fun also supports an important community cause.
Between the sights, sounds, and smells of the festival, there’s something happening at every turn to keep you entertained.
Final Thoughts
In the end, the Punkin Chunkin Fall Festival offers a little bit of everything – history, engineering, food, fun, and family activities – all wrapped up in a beautiful fall setting.
It’s an annual tradition that’s as memorable as it is entertaining, and one well worth adding to your autumn bucket list!
Nearby Attractions
36 Must-See Attractions in Centre County is your guide to more of the best things to see and do in the region.
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