2012 Last Fling Pumpkin Sling about Community and Country

Warren County, NJ:  It’s about the fun challenge of slinging a 2-3 pound pumpkin through the air the furthest. It’s about the competition between some rival schools and some down home fun. Last year a junk car was first driven, and then pushed, around the field of play as a target for machines. Ending with a showdown of two machines with “Dueling Banjos” playing in the background added an element of fun.
 
But the event concept goes much deeper. For organizers it is an opportunity to show a slice of Americana, from a little town called Harmony, located in scenic Warren County, New Jersey. This year’s Pumpkin Sling will be held at Millbrook Farm again – at the intersection of Montana and Millbrook Roads – on October 20 & 21, with a hurricane/snow date of October 27 & 28, 2012.
 
It’s About Education
As fun as the idea of building this contraption is to students, it’s more importantly a learning experience. Physics, mathematics and problem-solving all come in to play, as well as team building and sportsmanship. A teacher might even be able to give a horticulture lesson. Most students are probably unaware that they are slinging a fruit and not a vegetable. Our youth are our future and to get them thinking and to inspire them is one of our goals.
 
It’s About Community
We love hosting visitors from New York, Pennsylvania and other parts of New Jersey. It is our opportunity to show off what a beautiful part of the state we live in. Our community has strong agrarian roots, beginning with the native Americans that once lived on Montana Mountain. The tree rows and roads that you will discover en route to the Sling were first planned out and traveled by these inhabitants.
 
Our October Vistas Bus Tour explores our beautiful area, bringing people past nearby farms, and cultural and historical sites. Warren County still has a fair amount of multi-generational farmers, and offers things to do during every season. The bus also takes visitors to nearby Merrill Creek for some birding and nature watching.
 
In the evenings hot air balloons will gather for a balloon rally and take flight. Special shape Airhead Invader will inflate for the pleasure of the crowd as well. Hot air ballooning has become quite popular in Warren County over the years. The county hosts a popular balloon festival each year at it’s community oriented, annual county fair in Harmony Township.
 
It’s About Country
The town of Harmony is out in the country. Some may describe it as the middle of nowhere. Some describe it as a slice of heaven. First time visitors last year were in awe of the Millbrook Farm property, situated on the 36th highest point in New Jersey. There are many roads that lead up to the top of Montana Mountain. Harmony Brass Castle Road, Fox Farm Road, Montana Road & Millbrook Road all lead up to the top of the mountain and within a half a mile from Millbrook Farm. Consult our website for details on getting to the event. But don’t be surprised if you get lost in the beauty that will surround you, and you miss some turns!
 
This year the Pumpkin Sling will have a special attraction – a tribute to fallen soldiers of Vietnam and an expression of patriotism and love of country that you will find in our communities. The Pumpkin Sling organizers have invited Matt Long cast member of the Travel Channel’s hit show Sand Masters, to carve a sand sculpture that will incorporate the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington DC. Matt has carved more than twenty 9/11 and other memorial sculptures in sand. As time allows, fellow soldiers of the Vietnam war and family members of fallen soldiers may have that soldiers name inscribed on the sculpture. The sand for the project is being donated by Tom Bartha & Son Excavating of Belvidere, New Jersey.
 
Other attractions include hot air balloon launches, paragliding demonstrations, craft, non-profit and food vendors, live entertainment of Brady the Class Clown and a children’s tent. For a schedule visit www.pumpkinsling.com.
 
We hope you mark your calendar for a day out in the country with us. Learn about our area and even plan to visit from season to season – to cut a fresh Christmas Tree, pick some apples, sample some Jersey wines or explore our historic downtowns.
 
Supported in part by a grant from New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.

The event is also supported by the New Jersey Highlands Coalition, which advocates to protect, enhance and restore the New Jersey Highlands and to preserve the quality and quantity of drinking water both for the 850,000 people in the Highlands as well as the more than four million people in surrounding areas who depend on Highlands water.
 
For more things to see and do in our beautiful part of New Jersey, visit www.highlandstourism.org.
 

Contact Information

Giulia Iannitelli

Executive Director

Highlands Tourism Partnership

(1) 908-283-0721

info@pumpkinsling.com