When Pumpkins Fly at Pocono Raceway

he Last Fling Pumpkin Sling has landed at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, PA October 18-19, 2014. Giulia Iannitelli, organizer of the event, comments, “Nearly 30 teams will be competing in the kids and adults divisions with their trebuchets and catapults launching pumpkins over a thousand feet.” Made famous by the Punkin’ Chunkin’ event seen on the History Channel each fall, slinging pumpkins through the air has become a very popular pastime.

LONG POND, PA – WEBWIRE – Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Organizer Giulia Iannitelli says, “I started this event for the kids. It builds their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) skills and promotes teamwork. It has grown to be a success because of their dedication, creativity and desire to keep throwing their pumpkins ever further. We have had teams start with one machine and now grown to become three teams made up of younger siblings of our original participants.

The Last Fling Pumpkin Sling has landed at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, PA October 18-19, 2014. Giulia Iannitelli, organizer of the event, comments, “Nearly 30 teams will be competing in the kids and adults divisions with their trebuchets and catapults launching pumpkins over a thousand feet.” Made famous by the Punkin’ Chunkin’ event seen on the History Channel each fall, slinging pumpkins through the air has become a very popular pastime.
            Iannitelli continues, “This is the fifth year of our Last Fling Pumpkin Sling event which we held in Warren County, NJ. After losing our site, we were able to relocate to Pocono Raceway in the Pocono Mountains, and have been very well received with sponsors, vendors and participating teams.” She continues, “Most of our teams including the returning champions will be competing, but we have also had some new entries from the surrounding Pocono Mountain region.”
            Pumpkin slinging is the art and science of creating a machine designed to throw a pumpkin as far as possible. That can include a variety of trebuchets, like a floating arm trebuchet and catapults, like a ballista or torsion catapult. The Last Fling Pumpkin Sling focuses on the first two, with demonstrations by current world champions in the adult catapult division, that hurl pumpkins in excess of 2,500 feet. Teams spend the year building and modifying existing designs to become the champions. Iannitelli said, “Thanks to the efforts of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau and local businesses including Pocono Raceway our event is a go. Sadly, we just found out that Pumkin’ Chunkin’ has been cancelled this year. Fortunately, we have been able to accommodate several junior division teams at our event that will allow them the opportunity to still compete.”
            The Last Fling Pumpkin Sling will be held Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm each day at Pocono Raceway and will include pumpkin slinging, food and craft vendors, live entertainment, mini human powered pumpkin slings, a children’s area presented by the Pocono Arts Council, a hay maze and hay rides benefitting the Monroe County Salvation Army, Airhead Invader Monster hot air balloon, Harmony Historical Society race cars, the Pocono Mountain Adventures Vertical Ventures jump unit with trampolines, jump tower and climbing walls with the whole event hosted by Gary Smith of Pocono 96.7’s “Gary in the Morning.” Tickets for the event are $10 for adults and $6 for children ages 5-12. Under 4 are admitted free. Parking is $5 per car which will benefit the Monroe County Salvation Army, the Pocono Arts Council, VIPER – Veterans In Pursuit of Educational Readiness, and Chapter 3 NJ of Rolling Thunder.
            Iannitelli continues, “I started this event for the kids. It builds their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) skills and promotes teamwork. It has grown to be a success because of their dedication, creativity and desire to keep throwing their pumpkins ever further. We have had teams start with one machine and now grown to become three teams made up of younger siblings of our original participants. It is rewarding to see their love of pumpkin slinging translate into life skills that bring together brain and brawn.”
            Pumpkin Sling Overnight Packages are available at host hotel Split Rock Resort, just 10 minutes from the Pocono Raceway. Visit their website at www.splitrockresort.com
            For Pumpkin Sling information go to the website at PumpkinSling.com, facebook.com/PumpkinSling and twitter.com/PumpkinSling. Sponsors of the 2014 Pumpkin Sling include Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, Pocono Mountain Adventures, Split Rock Resort & Golf Club, Harmony Press, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, Papilion & Moyer Excavating, Adams Outdoor, Pocono 96.7, George TV, Vollers, Harmony Speedway, CR Shotwell Landscape Management, the Bushkill Group, Bruce George Excavation, Waste Management, and The Journal of the Pocono Plateau. For sponsorship or vendor information contact the Pumpkin Sling organizer at their website or calling 908-339-8920.

Contact: Giulia Iannitelli - giulia51@verizon.net 908-283-0721
Gina Bertucci – gbertucci@bushkillgroup.com 570-460-9740