GOURDS-AWAY! Pumpkins will meet their maker come Saturday in an event raising money for the Nanaimo Child Development Centre. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

smashing pumpkins

Cannons primed to pummel pumpkins & raise funds for Nanaimo CDC

Nov 4, 2022 | 5:25 AM

NANAIMO — Complete and utter annihilation is on the agenda Saturday.

Alair Homes and VMAC are combining to host the 3rd annual Great Pumpkin Toss at Meadow Creek Community Park, behind East Wellington Fire Hall, on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Kat Scott with Alair Homes said the growing tradition started as a friendly competition between two local businesses and a way to get rid of some Halloween jack-o-lanterns.

“VMAC showed up with a cannon and Alair showed up with a trebuchet, it was well built but it was not a cannon. From the second year on, we decided we were going to build a cannon.”

The Pumpkin Slay-Alair and the Gourdon Blamsay are both air-compressor-driven cannons, built to the latest standards and specifications. Their specific pressures and firing capacities however are closely guarded secrets, according to Scott.

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Both are completely safe, unless you’re a pumpkin.

The Gourdon Blamsay gets loaded prior to a firing at the 2021 event behind East Wellington Fire Hall. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

“There’s a farm attached to the park, so they launch these pumpkins 150 to 200 feet, as far as they can go…and then what’s really cool is after is all the smashed pumpkins feed the farm animals.”

In addition to serving as a fun community event, the pumpkin toss is also set up as a fundraiser for the Nanaimo Child Development Centre (CDC).

A host of sponsors have joined the cause, donating a variety of things to make the event happen.

The extra support means more side activities including a bouncy castle (if weather cooperates), kids games, crafts, a bake sale and more.

All money raised from the endeavours will go towards CDC programs.

“Everybody (at Alair) has used the services at CDC one way or another. Stu Hopewell (Alair COO) used services when he was a small child, I used them for both of my children growing up,” Scott said. “If we can help increase funding and decrease the waiting lines, then kids get help much faster.”

Scott said this year, the pumpkin toss backs into a planned bonfire for Guy Fawkes Day at the same site.

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