Two cannons. A lot of pumpkins.
A favor for a local festival turned into a 1,000‑gallon air tank, a 63‑foot barrel, and pumpkins flying over half a mile downrange.
We were asked to help out with a local pumpkin festival several years ago. The festival was raising money for a new community building. Mike Cowden, owner of Cowden’s Auto Body Inc., challenged locals to build air cannons to shoot pumpkins. The goal, of course, is to see who can chunk a pumpkin the farthest.
We lived up to the challenge and built the first cannon in 2008. Our team name became, ‘Can’t Fix Stupid’.
In 2010, we built a second cannon — for our wives. We named it ‘Wicked Wives’.
It’s been a lot of fun over the years. There are pumpkin chunking festivals all over the area now — Girard and Morton are just a few.
Come watch, or build your own cannon. We welcome everyone.
Can’t Fix Stupid
- Air tank
- 1,000 gallons
- Barrel
- 63′
- Range
- 3,000′ — 3,500′
Wicked Wives
- Air tank
- 250 gallons
- Barrel
- 20′
- Range
- 2,500′
Photos from the chuckin.
Want to build one?
Stop by the shop — we’re happy to share what we learned. Call (217) 627‑2241.