Thank you organizers, participants of 2009 Chunk

I would like to take the opportunity on behalf of the World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association to once again thank everyone for his or her help this past year. With my new responsibilities as director of media and promotions, I had the opportunity to work closely with many new and different people at the 2009 Chunk. From set up to tear down it was all the same, but different. Miles of fence to install, huge crowd expectations and preparing for the Discovery Channel extravaganza were just a few of the challenges. These and many other challenges were met and conquered again this year.

Our sponsor list grew again this year. Without the generosity of the following sponsors we could not continue our programs - the Delaware Lottery, ING-Direct, Wheatley Farms, Kaeser Compressors, Harley Davidson of Seaford, Polaris Ranger, Caswell Plumbing, Waste Management of Georgetown, Mid-South Audio, United Rentals, Pearson’s Septic & Portables, WMDT Channel 47, CW 3, Clean Delaware Inc., Hudson’s Truck Repair, M&M Refrigeration, Cat Country & Delmarva Broadcasting, WDSD, WTDK, 96 Rock, Classic Rock 98.5, Techgas, Froggy 99, Holly Lake Campsites, Holland Jewelers, Hampton Inn of Lewes, and Wilmington Trust. If I missed anyone we appreciate you also.

The generosity of these wonderful sponsors allowed us to present another great concert Friday night featuring The Funsters. With the economy situation the Chunkin Association absorbed the cost and allowed free admission to everyone at the Chunk. All who attended had a wonderful time.

I would like to thank our very gracious hosts, the Wheatley Family, for allowing us the opportunity to hold the 24th Chunk on their farm.

I would like to recognize the Punkin Chunkin Association members who worked hundreds of hours setting up the field and moving all our equipment to and from the field of play. The ones who came and worked tirelessly the association thanks you.

Just a quick chance to recognize some of the organization Leadership and staff that make this all happen:

Nick Federco, George Russ, Eric Nelson and his family spent endless hours coordinating the set up and tear down of the event. We are also very grateful to Harry Caswell Plumbing Inc., which lent countless pieces of the heavy equipment we needed to prepare the field and position the machines.

Andy Givens and all his great volunteers, we got a record number of cars and people into the Chunk. Softball and baseball players and parents, ROTC groups and hordes of volunteers worked tirelessly – day and night – parking cars and monitoring the crowds.

Terry Brewster, association treasurer, and her staff ran the entire financial end flawlessly; they are to be commended.

Rita O’Neil had the overwhelming task of coordinating all the vendors in the midway, and for that we are truly grateful.

Sandy Elliott and Betty Hurdle once again organized and oversaw the very successful cooking contest that not only adds sparkle to the event but raises funds for charity.

Gilbert Holt Sr. and his entire security staff were on the grounds 24 hours a day addressing problems as they arose. They were the first to come to work on the field and the last ones to leave. No matter what was ask, they did and did very well.

Chuck Burton and his Safety Committee worked to ensure we had a very safe Chunk.

John Collier and his measuring crew found, with the help of our spotter crews, every shot they needed to find. They all did an outstanding job.

John Huber, association president, did an outstanding job as president and handled all the problems for the entire event. John still found time to compete in the Adult Catapult Division.

Rick Garloff, association vice president, handled all the firing line problems and did a great job the entire weekend.

Last but not least, I would like to thank all the chunkers who traveled from around the world to make this event as great as it was. Without the players, there could be no game. They came ready to compete, and compete they did. There were several new world records set.

The spectators came to see pumpkins fly and our teams launched approximately 4,000 of them through the skies of Sussex County.

- Frank E. Shade, Punkin Chunkin Director of Media & Promotions