by Geoff Fox
The Town of Hancock Parks and Recreation and Interfaith Service Coalition are sponsoring the annual Pumpkin Derby this weekend at the Hancock Veterans Memorial Library with a workshop prior to the derby.
On Saturday, October 12, there will be a Pumpkin Derby Workshop at Martha’s House at 4 p.m. The workshop will include a dinner as well.
The workshop will also have pumpkins, kits, and decorations (while they last) at no cost to children who pre-register for the Derby.
The derby will be held on Sunday, October 13, with registration from 1 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. and the race beginning at 2 p.m.
Due to limited space, only one pumpkin racer entry is allowed per person and the Pumpkin Inspector will inspect all pumpkins at the time of registration.
Once the pumpkin passes inspection, it will receive a number that must be clearly displayed on the racer.
Following inspection, a racer may not be modified and entries will be placed on display until race time so that the decorating contest can be judged. Owners are responsible for collecting their pumpkin racer and reporting to their starting line for their individual heat once judging is complete.
Debbie Cohill, Director of Interfaith Service Coalition, said the Parks and Rec reached out to ISC because they thought the kids at Martha’s House would like to participate.
“We decided it was a very good fit and of course we said yes,” she said.
In those discussions, Cohill said it was found out how expensive the kits were and looking online, the cheapest was $25.
Cohill said that could be cost prohibitive to some families if they have to buy multiple kits.
What was decided, she said, was to have the workshop with Interfaith buying the materials for the kits and pumpkins.
While at the workshop, the kids will have walking tacos while working on their pumpkins and members of Parks and Rec will also help with drilling the pumpkins for kids to assemble their racing pumpkin.
“Kids can participate at no cost. They just show up, get their pumpkin, get their everything there,” Cohill said.
Cohill needs to know as soon as possible if they are going to show up on October 12 to make sure there are enough kits as only 30 have been ordered.
Kids who do the workshop would automatically be registered for the event on Sunday, Cohill added.
There are no age limitations for kids to enter.
There is also no limitation on size or weight of the pumpkin, but in the rule packet, there is a tip stating the bigger or heavier the pumpkin is not the fastest racer and rarely wins the race.
For additional information, you can contact Brandon Utermoehlen at 301-573-9587 or Debbie Cohill at 301-331-6605