by Meagan Dorsch
Can pumpkins catapulted into the middle of a North Carolina field determine who the next president of the United States will be? The residents of Statesville, North Carolina would say yes!
As part of the Crossroads Pumpkin Fest, pumpkins representing the two presidential and vice presidential candidates are catapulted from a trebuchet. The winner is the one that flies the furthest. It's called the Great Heads of Statesville Exit Poll and organizers say it is 80 percent accurate!
So who won this year? According to the website, it was John McCain and Sarah Palin:
Senator McCain’s pumpkin spun to the right and bounced 81 yards from the catapult, while Governor Palin’s initially veered to the left, but pulled back to the right before landing 85 yards. On the Democratic side, both pumpkins stayed true to the left. The Senator Barack Obama pumpkin flew 79 yards, while Senator Joe Biden’s gourd sailed 83 yards. The total distance was 166 yards for the Republican ticket and 162 for the Democrat.
If you would like to see the video for yourself, please click here.
This "scientific exit poll" was first put to the test in 2004. My new friend, Joel Leonard, told me the John Edwards pumpkin head misfired and only went 12 feet while the others flew over 100 yards. This exit poll strategy is not just reserved for the presidential contenders. Pumpkins were also launched for the North Carolina U.S. Senate seat and the gubernatorial race.
The best part is the launch that already took place (the one you can watch on the video) was just a preview for the media. The real Great Heads of Statesville Exit poll will take place at the fair on Nov. 1, just three days before voters "head" to the polls...or the trebuchets.
Photo credit: Trebuchet.com
I must say how can a Pumpkin Launch determine anythink, but after reading your post anythink is possible.
The distance they can get is remarkable and would be very entertaining to watch live.
Posted by: kered | January 12, 2010 at 09:09 AM
i think how to use pumpkin launch for game :D
Posted by: seo | February 20, 2011 at 09:32 PM