Launch Events

Our goal for fall 2027: free community launches with a trebuchet at least 10 feet tall.

The big machine

We’re working toward a trebuchet at least 10 feet tall, built on a towable base so it can travel to events, and ready by September 2027. First comes a “Big Yard” (3–4 ft) machine, built January–March 2027, so we can test, measure and refine before scaling up.

One machine, five sizes

1. Desktop
Jan 2027 · 6–8 in tall
grapes & ping-pong balls

2. “Small Yard”
Spring 2027 · 12–18 in tall
apples & tennis balls

3. “Big Yard”
Jan–Mar 2027 · 3–4 ft tall
grapefruit & water balloons

4. 6-Footer
Jul 2027 · 6 ft tall
basketballs & small melons

5. 10 ft+: our goal
10 ft+ · ready by Sept 2027
small pumpkins (2–8 lb)

0 ft100 ft200 ft300 ft400 ft↑ a football field is 300 ft

Every step uses the same distance scale, so you can see the range grow. Distances are planning estimates from the size specifications.

Specs, free plans and simulators for each size are on the For builders page.

At a launch

Families weigh the pumpkins they grew, predict how far each one will fly, and watch the physics of levers, stored energy and projectile motion at full scale. Afterward the pumpkins are composted.

The Pumpkin Smash

Since 2022, Second Chance Composting has hosted a free post-Halloween Pumpkin Smash that keeps pumpkins out of the landfill: in Williamstown and North Adams in 2023, then with Whitney’s Farm in Cheshire (the fourth one was November 8, 2025). Families bring their pumpkins, smash them, and the pieces are composted. Second Chance Composting has agreed to collaborate with us and explore a trebuchet demonstration at a future Pumpkin Smash. We’d love to bring one in November 2027 to launch home-grown pumpkins, unsold farm pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns, and to weigh how many pounds stay out of the landfill.

Other fall events

We hope to bring the machine to several events in September and October 2027. We’ve asked the Williamstown Historical Museum about a smaller demonstration, and we’re looking at open, accessible sites with good parking and a safe launch zone, such as Sheep Hill and local school fields. Nothing is confirmed yet.

Safety

  • A written safety plan for every public launch.
  • Spectators stay behind a roped-off line, well to the side of the machine.
  • Only trained adults load and release the machine, and it’s inspected before every launch.
  • An engineer reviews the big machine before its first public launch.
  • No public launch happens without liability insurance in place.

Have a field, farm or event?

We’d love to hear from venues and event organizers: info@berkshiretrebuchet.org.