How Does It Work?
Outside of the Student Administrative Services building, tarps were laid down on the staircases, and hay bales were used to stop the gourd-turned bowling balls as students chucked the round, flesh-filled orbs to see them explode at the bottom.
Given a chance to throw two pumpkins per person, every passing period, a group of students formed to try their hand at launching the plant and seeing just how many pieces they could turn their pumpkin into.
Student Solidarity
Students of all majors and walks of life came together to chat and throw their pumpkins. I had a chance to talk to one of them that day and ask how they liked the activity.
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Justin Stock interviewing Avery Woodcox at the Smashing Pumkins Event at Butte College on Oct. 31, taken by Eston Conley
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Avery Woodcox at the Smashing Pumkins Event at Butte College on Oct. 31, taken by Justin Stock
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Avery Woodcox agreed to speak to me and explained that they felt the throwing and landing of the pumpkins was extremely satisfying to watch and do.
They explained that an event like this brings students together, and that even those not actively participating and just heading to class can have more of a sense of community and belonging at Butte College seeing an event so publicly.
They continued by urging students not to be afraid of coming to events, especially when they are as lighthearted as a pumpkin smashing. They emphasized they knew that social anxiety could hold one back from attending but reminded students that no one there that day was judging—they were just throwing pumpkins.
Why Smash Pumpkins?
Butte College’s Environmental Horticulture and Agricultural Science Instructor Jennifer Charles-Tolerup arrived early to help set everything up. She was kind enough to speak to The Roadrunner and give context to the yearly celebration.
Jennifer explained that the Pumpkin Smashing event has been going on since Butte College started the Pumpkin Project, which has the goal of growing pumpkins in Butte College’s very own pumpkin patch. The pumpkins grown here are used for sales, donations, and, of course, smashing.
The pumpkins are sold, set up in autumn arrangements, and used as decoration all across campus. The college set up the Smashing Pumpkins event to bring the campus together with a fun and novel activity. And if you feel like smashing is a waste, the busted pumpkin guts in the tarps are collected and given to Butte College’s very own goats to snack on.
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Goats at Butte college’s farm that the pumpkin waste goes to, taken Oct. 5 by Justin Stock
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Agriculture Club members selling pumpkins one last time at Butte College taken on Oct. 31 2024 by Justin Stock
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Missed This Year’s? Go Next Halloween!
So you missed out on the fun this year? Well, you’re in luck because next year will be the 5th annual Pumpkin Throwing Event, every Halloween from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. So stop by the main campus next year and let off some steam by watching pumpkins explode! I know I definitely needed it!
