CAMANO ISLAND — Pumpkins are to be launched from trebuchets at a local farm during a festival to raise money for charities.
The second Camano Pumpkin Project is set for this weekend at Kristoferson Farm, 332 NE Camano Dr. It runs from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Last year’s event was one day. The goal is to double participation this year.
It’s more than medieval weapons hurtling pumpkins into the air.
Activities include live music, a beer garden, food and craft vendors, fresh-pressed apple cider and games such as pumpkin bowling and tug-of-war.
People can drop off carved pumpkins at the farm Friday to be entered into a carving contest. A master carver plans to be at work on a large pumpkin during Saturday’s festivities. Guests will be challenged to guess the weight of another giant pumpkin, grown on the island.
Mona Campbell, one of the owners of the family farm, said her brother, Kris Kristoferson, came up with the idea for the Pumpkin Project.
“It was his notion to put together an event that really brought the community together,” she said.
The cost of admission is $10 for one day or $15 for both. Children younger than 5 are free.
After covering event costs, the money raised goes to six local charities: the Stanwood Camano Food Bank, Camano Center, Safe Harbor Clinic, Camano Animal Shelter Association, ReMax Community Grant Chest and Stanwood Camano Resource Center.
Last year, about 850 people attended. Campbell would like to see twice as many this year. Though attendance was good last fall, after paying for the costs of event, the donations to the nonprofits weren’t large, she said.
“We kept the charities the same this year so we can hopefully do more for them,” she said.
Many of the people who stopped by the event last year are coming back this weekend to volunteer, Campbell said. She had more than 30 people signed up to help last week, and the list was getting longer each day.
Launching pumpkins into the air was one of the biggest hits last year.
“The trebuchets are quite the spectacle,” Campbell said.
Tickets are available at the farm day-of, or online at brownpapertickets.com/event/3594674. More information is available at camanopumpkinproject.com.
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com
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