Armstrong and Spallumcheen are thinking orange.
Orange as in the colour of pumpkins.
The 15th Annual Harvest Pumpkin Festival will again feature the annual Great Pumpkin Launch. Get a head start on your entry and encourage the kids to do something creative before school starts.
“What’s new this year is that thanks in part through the Government of Canada – Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage, there is some funding available to school or youth groups who want to build an entry and participate in the launch,” said Patti Noonan, executive director of the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce, which hosts Harvest Pumpkin Festival.
Teams are encouraged to build a catapult, slingshot or cannon, then use it to send pumpkins towards the target.
There are no restrictions in building the entry other than the launch must be people-powered.
Physics and Tech-Ed students — here is your chance to showcase your talents.
Trials will take place Oct. 10 between noon and 1 p.m. Launch begins at 1 p.m on the IPE grounds behind the horticulture building.
Pumpkins will be provided — five for the trial run and five for the contest.
Prizes will be awarded for Closest to the Target, Distance and Best Team Costume.
Challenge a business or organization to build a better launch than yours. See who can launch their pumpkin furthest and can claim the title King or Queen of the Pumpkin Launch.
There is an entry fee of $25 per adult entry, which goes towards prizes. Entry fee is waived for school or youth group entries.
Harvest Pumpkin Festival celebrates arts, culture and families and has grown from a one-day event to a festival spanning 10 days that features fun for everyone, including Family Day Oct. 10.
There will be demonstrations, treats, entertainment, lawn tractor racing, pumpkin catapult, petting zoo, pumpkin carving, games, family dance and more.
Partners in this free community event include the Government of Canada – Building Communities through Arts and Culture and the Society of Creative Anachronism – Shire of Krakafjord.
For more information on the 15th Annual Harvest Pumpkin Festival or other events, visit www.aschamber.com or find the chamber on Facebook.
The festival is sponsored in part by Heritage Canada and Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association.
