BRIDGEVILLE, Del.- Organizers of Punkin Chunkin said they nearly had to cancel the event after tens of thousands of dollars worth of equipment was stolen from the Bridgeville farm where the event is held.
Police said someone stole more than $33,000 worth of fence posts and electronic equipment from the farm.
Organizer Frank Shade said the event was placed in jeopardy.
"Without the boundaries we couldn't have put the event on. Without the electric we could not have had entertainment on the stage, ice machines, the PA system and so on. This is all the necessary equipment just to produce the event," Shade said.
National organizations and a local electric company have pitched in. They found replacement posts for the 12 miles of fencing at Punkin Chunkin.
Despite the setback, Shade said the event will go on. Shade said this year the event could overtake NASCAR as Delaware's largest attraction.
"Once the final tally is counted, we could be the largest drawing event in the state of Delaware," Shade said. "Last year we pulled in over 100,000 and every indication is this year we will have a larger event than last year."
Punkin Chunkin gets under way Friday morning in Bridgeville.
