Organizers: Punkin Chuckin’ may not continue

PEKIN, Ill. — Organizers with the annual festival where participants hurl pumpkins across a field are questioning if the event will go on.

GateHouse Media Illinois newspapers reports hundreds gathered in rural Pekin Saturday for the Morton Punkin Chuckin’ Contest to watch machines and people fling pumpkins in different events.

However, the contest has already been scaled back to one day from two after religious concerns about having the contest on a Sunday.

Susan Pyles of the Morton Tourism Association says it’s difficult to find a new spot with enough space. She says the organizing committee also needs new members as some have been around since the committee was created 17 years ago.

It’s not the first time there have been worries about the festival’s future.

It’s been canceled three times.