Smashing Pumpkins: When Gords Fly

“Everybody stand back! Watch out!”

     It’s become a tradition every fall after Halloween, onlookers gather around as the Physics and Engineering club bring out their massive 12-foot wooden trebuchet to launch old pumpkins high in the air and watch as they explode upon impact. 

     This year club members hauled the trebuchet to the NIC Parker Technical Education Center’s Halloween event as an addition to the festivities. After transporting it back to campus they held their traditional Post-Halloween Smash on Friday.

     People of all ages braved the weather under a canopy while sipping hot coffee and munching on doughnuts. Children lined up for a chance to help pull the rope that releases the latch to let it fly.

      “I’ve been coming to this for a couple years now.” One young spectator told me, “One time they had a castle, and some targets set up to see if they could hit them down.  This year they’re just trying to see how far they can get it.”

     According to Club President David Bozinov the record is at least 250 feet in distance and about 150 high.  He says they’ve launched pumpkins clear across the parking lot, (currently vacant where Hubbard intercepts with Northwest Blvd across the street from water treatment facility,) and into the tree line on occasion. 

     Sandbags are used as counterweights to propel the pumpkin sling.  The max weight is 650 lbs of force, only 550 lbs were used this time around as a precaution.  In the past, the mechanism attached to pull rope would not release at times, so the club made a modification to ensure a smooth release.  They also updated the sling and added support beams for safety.

     While this year’s club may have made some modifications, they can’t take credit for building the trebuchet itself. In fact, neither can lasts year’s Physics and Engineering Club, or the year before them.  The trebuchet was actually built by the club in 2015, although it wasn’t put to use until 2016 when it made its debut. 

     Bozinov said they might collaborate with the Parker Tech Center next year for even more upgrades.  Until then the club president made it clear that they plan to stay busy and welcomes others to join.

     “Now that we’re done working on the trebuchet, we’re looking for more projects to start.  We’re thinking about maybe something with robotics.  Of course, new ideas and new members are always welcome!”