Thank you for making the 2012 event such a success!

We look forward to expanding the event and making it bigger and better in 2013.  If you're interested in sitting on the committee, volunteering or becoming a sponsor for the 2nd annual event, please contact the Clayton Chamber of Commerce. For more Information on sponsorship opportunities, click here.

First Annual Punkin Chuckin' Festival & BBQ Contest Set to Launch in Clayton on Saturday, October 20th 2012

Get your trebuchet ready for the 1st Annual Punkin Chuckin' Festival on Saturday, October 20th on Riverside Drive, Clayton New York. The Punkin Chuckin' Festival is a fun family event hosted by the Clayton Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Clayton Marina Sales and Service, 50 State Street, Clayton NY.

The festival is a one day event where Do-It-Yourself mechanical wizards of all ages attempt to launch pumpkins as far as possible with trebuchets, a siege engine used in the Middle ages.

Admission to the Punkin Chunkin' Festival is free and begins at 11am featuring competitive firings throughout the day with awards at 5pm. The festival will have two categories of competition, which also compete against each other for the Best Overall Design, which is the farthest throw for the height of their trebuchet. The two categories are: Adults (18 & older) and Youth (11-17 years old) . It costs $5 to enter the competition. Download The Punkin Chunkin Contest Rules. 

There are still entry spaces available for the Punkin Chunkin'. Contestants can call the Clayton Chamber of Commerce at 315-686-3771, email beth@1000islands-clayton.com or stop by the office at 517 Riverside Drive, Clayton NY.

The Clayton Chamber of Commerce will also host a non-sanctioned Kansas City Style BBQ Contest featuring local barbequers competing for bragging rights of the best BBQ in town. Teams of local grillers will face off on Riverside Drive starting with the same ingredients of butt pork and chicken thighs with the challenge of coming up with a unique and award-winning sauce, rub or secret recipe. Competitors will be competing for a trophy and bragging rights for best pulled pork, best bbq chicken and the people's choice award.

The People's Taste Test will begin at 11:30 am in O'Brien's Restaurant parking lot until all is gone. Festival-goers can purchase pork and chicken samples from each of the teams as well as two side dishes. Proceeds from the event will benefit non-profit organizations including the New Era Bike & Skate Park, American Cancer Society of Jefferson County, Save the River and Hawn Memorial Library.

The teams include: Barry Ingerson, Sponsored by CC McCreedy Masonry; Tim Doney, sponsored by O'Brien's Restaurant; Pat Youngs sponsored by the Jefferson County Democratic Committee; Aaron Parker sponsored by the Sand Bay Inn; Dustin Orvis sponsored by Reinman's Ace Hardware and Chris DiPrinzio sponsored by Tricia's Rondette.

The Hawn Memorial Library will be hosting children's activities from 10am-3pm.  Children will enjoy bobbing for apples, crafts, a costume contest and more at 220 John Street, Clayton.  The library will also be sponsoring horse drawn rides departing from Frink Park from 10am-3pm.  For more information please call 315-686-3762.

Have you ever seen a pink pumpkin before?  How about you purchase one of these naturally pink pumpkins between 10am-3pm at the Thousand Islands Museum at 312 James Street, Clayton.  The Thousand Islands Museum will also be holding a Biggest & Oddest Shaped Pumpkin Contest from 10am-2pm. Judging will take place at 2pm with awards at 3pm. For more information please call 315-686-5794.

The Thousand Islands Arts Center will be holding a Scarecrow Building Contest from 9am-12 Noon at 314 John Street in Clayton.  Scarecrows will be displayed along Riverside Drive from 12 Noon - 2pm and judging will take place at 3pm.  For additional information please call 315-686-4123.

River Golf Adventures, 40168 NYS Route 12 Clayton, will be hosting a haunted miniature golf course Friday 3-9pm, Saturday 11am-9pm and Sunday 11am-8pm.  Call 315-777-0225 for additional details.