Pumpkins to fly this weekend on Ebey Island

Pumpkins will be smashing this weekend.

Medieval catapults will send the orange orbs into the air during a two-day event to open the Snohomish Festival of Pumpkins.

Teams will bring in custom-built “punkin chunkin’” machines to the Snohomish Pumpkin Hurl and Medieval Faire, beginning Saturday, to see who can hurl the gourds farthest, like the previous 1,866-foot world record that was set at the event one year.

“The air literally vibrates with the power of the throw,” event manager Debbie Carlson Gould said.

“It’s a kind of physical thrill just to be standing near.”

And there’s a lot more to do than watch.

Visitors are encouraged to dress up in period costume or any other family-friendly costume — that includes zombies and comic book and movie characters, Gould said — and enjoy all things medieval.

Families can launch their own pumpkins with air cannons or small-scale trebuchets, shoot arrows, fight it out on Viking shield walls or try on chain mail shirts.

Kids can take part in mock battles like the fully armored mounted knights who will travel the grounds.

There have been knights on horseback in past events, but this year, they will joust.

“When the horses are running — and these are big horses — just the thump and the vibrating of the hoof clopping toward you, it’s so exciting,” Gould said.

The sixth annual event also features medieval-themed pony rides; a kid’s scavenger hunt; educational programs featuring authentic, antique weaponry; food vendors; and a $5 spirits and wine tasting.

The six pumpkin farms near Snohomish open in October for corn mazes, hayrides, animal farms and pumpking shopping.

“They give families a chance to unplug from all the electronics that we are bombarded with get out under sky and make wonderful, lasting memories together,” Gould said. “They can connect with each other and with nature.”

Snohomish Pumpkin Hurl and Medieval Faire runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 14 and 15 at Alexander Farm, 43rd Avenue SE and Ebey Island Road, Everett.

Admission is $7.50 general and free for children 4 and younger.

Parking is $5.

For more information, visit www.festivalofpumpkins.org.

Ashley Stewart: 425-339-3037; astewart@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

What’s Up columnist Andrea Brown with a selection of black and white glossy promotional photos on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Free celeb photos! Dig into The Herald’s Hollywood time capsule

John Wayne, Travolta, Golden Girls and hundreds more B&W glossies are up for grabs at August pop-up.

Rodney Ho / Atlanta Journal-Constitution / Tribune News Service
The Barenaked Ladies play Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville on Friday.
Coming events in Snohomish County

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Edmonds announces summer concert lineup

The Edmonds Arts Commission is hosting 20 shows from July 8 to Aug. 24, featuring a range of music styles from across the Puget Sound region.

Big Bend Photo Provided By Ford Media
2025 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend Increases Off-Road Capability

Mountain Loop Highway Was No Match For Bronco

Cascadia College Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Midori Sakura looks in the surrounding trees for wildlife at the North Creek Wetlands on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cascadia College ecology students teach about the importance of wetlands

To wrap up the term, students took family and friends on a guided tour of the North Creek wetlands.

Mustang Convertible Photo Provided By Ford Media Center
Ford’s 2024 Ford Mustang Convertible Revives The Past

Iconic Sports Car Re-Introduced To Wow Masses

Kim Crane talks about a handful of origami items on display inside her showroom on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Crease is the word: Origami fans flock to online paper store

Kim’s Crane in Snohomish has been supplying paper crafters with paper, books and kits since 1995.

The 2025 Nissan Murano midsize SUV has two rows of seats and a five-passenger capacity. (Photo provided by Nissan)
2025 Nissan Murano is a whole new machine

A total redesign introduces the fourth generation of this elegant midsize SUV.

A woman flips through a book at the Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pop some tags at Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley

$20 buys an outfit, a unicycle — or a little Macklemore magic. Sales support the food bank.

The Mukilteo Boulevard Homer on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Homer Hedge’: A Simpsons meme takes root in Everett — D’oh!

Homer has been lurking in the bushes on West Mukilteo Boulevard since 2023. Stop by for a selfie.

Sarah and Cole Rinehardt, owners of In The Shadow Brewing, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In The Shadow Brewing: From backyard brews to downtown cheers

Everything seems to have fallen into place at the new taproom location in downtown Arlington

Bar manager Faith Britton pours a beer for a customer at the Madison Avenue Pub in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Burgers, brews and blues: Madison Avenue Pub has it all

Enjoy half-price burgers on Tuesday, prime rib specials and live music at the Everett mainstay.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.