3 Pumpkin Smash Parties, plus how to donate your pumpkin to farms

man smashing pumpkin with axe — Photo: Depositphotos

Now that Halloween’s over, you might be done with your pumpkins, but you know who would love to sink their teeth into them? Goats and pigs! And pumpkins are also fantastic for composting. If you compost your food scraps, you know how valuable an old pumpkin is!

If you don’t compost, there are still some constructive ways to get rid of your pumpkins.

Some Charlotte area farms would welcome pumpkin donations for their animals to enjoy. Make sure that the pumpkins are not painted, and not expired.

(And guess what–we’ll put this same call out for old Christmas trees in a couple months!)

Pumpkin Smash Party in Plaza Midwood

Scrap Daddy Composting is holding Pumpkin Smash 2024 on Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at The Vine Methodist Church, 2101 Belvedere Avenue, Charlotte, North Carolina.

Monthly customers of Scrap Daddy can smash as many pumpkins as they’d like for free. All others can pay $5 for unlimited smashing. The pumpkins are then used for compost.

Bring your pumpkins and other large fall produce! Don’t bring your bats or hammers — all smashing artillery will be provided. Also, don’t bring any outside alcohol or glass containers.

Other than smashing pumpkins, you’ll also be able to participate in a raffle for a chance to win a basket of sustainable surprises.

Punkin Chuck-in at Pilot Brewing

Drop off a pumpkin at Pilot Brewing, 1331 Central Avenue, Charlotte, North Carolina, for their Punkin Chuck-in event. Just drop it off on Saturday, November 2, 2024, between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m., and they’ll give you a brewery gift card in exchange. The pumpkins will go local farmers for their animals.

Town of Davidson Pumpkin Smash & Shoot

The Town of Davidson is hosting their Pumpkin Smash & Shoot at Fisher Farm Archery Range, 21215 Shearer Road, Davidson, North Carolina, on Sunday, November 3, 2024, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Bring your pumpkin, and destroy it with an arrow (or smash it.) The pumpkin remains will be composted.

The Town of Davidson announced this event on Facebook. This is a FREE event.

Pumpkin Chunkin’ at Schiele Museum

The Schiele Museum of Natural History, at 1500 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, North Carolina, has a horde of pumpkins that need smashing.

Their Pumpkin Chunkin’ event is Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by, buy a $4 ticket at the admissions desk, or online, and choose a pumpkin.

Then launch it toward the “castle” target using the museum’s giant catapult.

Dallas Lavender Lane Farm

Dallas Lavender Lane Farm, at 937 Old Willis School Road, Dallas, North Carolina, would love for you to drop off your pumpkins for their animals to feast on. Just drop them off on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Darby Acres

Darby Acres, at 9395 Hutchinson Lane, Charlotte, North Carolina, accepts donation of pumpkins (including carved), gourds, Christmas trees, hay, straw, fruits, vegetables, and dog and cat food. Please drop items off at the end of Hutchinson Lane, next to the Tractor. This information was found on Pumpkinsforpigs.org/donation-sites.

Gomez Goats

Gomez Goats, 1104 Sand Dollar Court, Monroe, North Carolina, accepts donations of pumpkins, gourds, acorns, Christmas trees, hay, straw, fruit and vegetables. Drop off items next to the old truck in the yard. This information was found on Pumpkinsforpigs.org/donation-sites.

Pumpkins for Pigs

Check the listings on PumpkinsForPigs.org to see what farms are looking for pumpkin donations for their pigs and other animals.

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