The lost art of making inanimate objects soar will be on display this fall as the Youth Garden Project presents the fourth annual Moab Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival on Oct. 31, at the Old Airport Runway just south of Moab.

This fall harvest festival includes contests for people of all ages, live music and entertainment, vendor booths, and a “wide range of characters” roaming the festival grounds, according to a news release from festival organizers.

The festival’s main event, the Pumpkin Chuckin’ Contest, is open to anyone interested in constructing a launching device and sending pumpkins soaring. Entrants compete in one of four divisions: catapults, trebuchets, air cannons, and sling shots with a special youth category in each division.

The public is invited to watch the launching competition and explore the festival, which will include live bluegrass music by Cosy Sheridan and T.R. Ritchie in the morning and the Metamoocil Mountain Boys in the afternoon.

In the spirit of an old time fair, the event features pumpkin pie eating and seed spitting contests, costumed “wiener dog” races, a straw-bale maze for kids and other games and activities for children. A variety of local and regional artists will also display their work for sale at the event.

“The festival brings together community organizations, local farmers, artisans, and musicians with members of the community to celebrate the harvest – and is a perfect way to enjoy the crisp Utah fall weather amidst the towering La Sal Mountains and red rock mesas,” festival organizers say.

Proceeds from the event support the Youth Garden Project, a non-profit group in Moab that teaches personal growth, self responsibility and community awareness in youth through organic gardening, experiential education programs and community service, according to the group’s website.

The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Halloween Day. Discount tickets are available at WabiSabi and Arches Book Company. Tickets at the door are $10 for adults and $5 for children.

For more information on the Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival, visit the Youth Garden Project’s website, www.youthgardenproject.org, or call 259-2326.