Delaware farmer got Punkin Chunked

Now what?

That's the question Rick Dickerson has been asking himself since Punkin Chunkin was canceled.

Dickerson, a fifth generation farmer from Delaware, grows the special variety of pumpkins used at the world famous event. He's now stuck with a field full of nearly 7,000 pumpkins, left without a purpose or future destination.

"It'd be different if they were regular ones," he said. "We could get rid of those no problem. But the ones we grow for The Chunk are special. They're not really good for anything else."

The special variety are known as La Estrella, a dull orange gourd with dull green and tan blotches, weighing around 6 to 12 pounds.

La Estrella pumpkins are great for Punkin Chunkin since they are more dense than other varieties. Whereas normal pumpkins would easily explode, La Estrellas are able to withstand the heavy air pressure produced by gourd-hurtling contraptions featured at the event.

The abandoned pumpkins account for nearly 10 percent of Dickerson's total pumpkin sales.

But luckily, La Estrellas are not the only variety he grows.

"In the grand scheme of things, it's a small portion," he said. "It's certainly not going to shut us down, but it'll hurt."

Dickerson and his brother got into the wholesale pumpkin business in 1992 after purchasing a few acres in Laurel. Over the years, they've acquired 75 acres of land, now used for growing a wide variety of pumpkins sold at roadside markets and produce stands across the state.

When Punkin Chunkin contacted Dickerson about growing La Estrellas six years ago, he readily agreed. His family has happily supported the event for years based on what it does for the community. Dickerson Farms has also made large pumpkin donations each year in addition to the sale of La Estrellas.

But now that the event has been called off two years in a row, Dickerson is sad to say he may need to reevaluate his contract.

"I'll need to reconsider a few things, that's for sure," he said. "I would love to continue my support but I can't have a field of pumpkins just left to rot. The whole situation is a shame. I'm pretty disappointed."

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