Punkin Chunkin 2008!!!

That's right, it's time for the 22nd annual Punkin Chunkin in Sussex County, Delaware.  This event is kind of a big deal.  Basically, people build different catapults, cannons, trebuchets, or what have you, and day after Halloween, they launch punkins!  The group I was with even got on the Science Channel (to be aired Thanksgiving night) with some hairy bearded guy dressed as a renaissance woman, saying, "Watch Punkin Chunkin on the Science Channel!!"  I suggest you do it.  Or just click on that link and keep your eyes peeled around the 1:00 mark.
At the offset, it appears to be a sort of white trash-type event.  And sure, there were some manifestations of that.
Like the dudes playing horseshoes with toilet seats...
...and the beer bottle windchimes...
 But once we started to think about it, this is a seriously educational event.  Are your kids having problems getting excited about learning?  Send them to the Punkin Chunkin!  You've got your physics and engineering going into building these catapults, all sorts of math to determine how far the punkins go and how to break the records, culinary arts galore in finding new and delicious ways to add pumpkin to every dish...I was told the punkins are even specially grown for this event, with an extra-thick rind - hello, plant genetics!  And, Professor Mitra would be proud to know, there was even a lesson in target marketing:

In case you can't read that ING sign, it says "CATAPULT YOUR OLD HOME LOAN TO THE NEXT COUNTY...Save a chunk with our home loans."  Brilliant.  Brings a tear to my eye.

Here's my amateur video depiction. I captured at least one of each of the different styles we saw. Can you see the punkins?

And here's a more professional rendition.