In the world of pumpkin chunkin - using catapults, sometimes even cannons, to send pumpkins hundreds of feet in the air - Jim Fuller, also known as "Fat Jimmy," is a legend.
He was working in architecture when a friend and fellow architect, suggested they have fun and build a catapult.
“So about two weeks, we all got together and built this thing and our first throw went about three hundred feet, even though the design said it would go about a thousand feet,” Fuller said.
Since then, Fuller has built five catapults and one of his smaller ones will be among the pumpkin launchers Saturday at the Bald Eagle State Park for the Howard Fire Company's Annual Pumpkin Chunkin Fall Festival.
First held in 2011, the event has become a crowd favorite and a big fundraiser for the fire company, with thousands on hand to watch and enjoy the festivities.
“And it’s a free event, free parking. the only money you spend for the family is if you want to buy something from the vendors. They have about one hundred vendors, it’s a great event,” Fuller said.
Fuller says he'll launch at least 30- 40 pumpkins Saturday - ammunition he terms it.
With the weather forecast looking good, he expects pumpkins will be flying all afternoon.
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