Potato slingshot provides new enjoyable for youths, adults at Leechburg’s Fall Festival

A home made slingshot and 200 kilos of potatoes made for time for younger and outdated alike at Leechburg’s Fall Festival on Saturday.

“Amazing. Loved it,” mentioned Gretchen Bailey, of Parks Township, after she fired some spuds into the Kiski River. “I never launched potatoes into a river.”

This 12 months was the primary time for “Slingshot Shenanigans,” which might have additionally been appropriately known as a Tater Toss, a Fry Fling, or a Spud Sling — monikers which might be all up for grabs.

It was the concept of Patti Klasnick, of Gilpin and secretary of the Leechburg Area Community Association, or LACA.

But Klasnick needed to be talked out of her unique thought to make use of pumpkins, Leechburg Mayor Doreen Smeal mentioned. The second thought was apples, however they value an excessive amount of in order that they went with potatoes.

While the primary Fall Festival was held in 2022, this was solely the second 12 months for the occasion, which was rained out in 2023 and simply didn’t come collectively in 2024, Smeal mentioned.

There was going to be a goal to purpose for within the river, however that didn’t work out, Klasnick’s husband, Kirk Klasnick, mentioned.

But that did nothing to dissuade the keenness of those that in change for a $1 donation to LACA acquired three potatoes to load into the slingshot.

“It seems to be a big hit,” Kirk Klasnick mentioned.

Some of the very best pictures have been making it about midway throughout the river from the launching level above the water and close to the gazebo in Leechburg’s Riverfront Park.

Emma Kissel, 12, of Allegheny Township mentioned she acquired one practically to the opposite aspect. Asked if she was probably exaggerating, she mentioned, “No.”

Jonathan McLaughlin, of Leechburg, admitted to having been out-shot by his 8-year-old son, Cooper.

It was a lot enjoyable they got here again to it three separate instances.

“It’s genius.” Jonathan McLaughlin mentioned. “You shoot potatoes into the river. It doesn’t hurt anything.”