Armstrong’s reigning Pumpkin Launch Kings are ready to take on all challengers.

Jong Gardens returns to defend their Great Pumpkin Launch title at the eighth annual Harvest Pumpkin Festival Saturday in Armstrong.

“We are looking for the brave of the brave to challenge our flame-themed launch,” said Jason Jong of the defending champions.

“We welcome all challengers.”

All manner of launching devices – from crude wooden contraptions to sophisticated machines of vegetable warfare – will be put to the test at the Armstrong-Spallumcheen Fairgrounds.

Spectators and participants are expected to watch the orange projectiles launch, then smash into pieces in the grass while trying to hit the target or go the distance.

Launching begins at 1 p.m. with each team warming up before launching five pumpkins each.

The perfect pumpkin for these machines, according to launch officials, is “perfectly round, 6 to 6.5 pounds.” The pumpkins are supplied by Askews’ Foods in Armstrong.

Competition is fierce between the Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department and an unnamed team rumored to have some extra power behind them this year.

Youth entries range from the Pumpkinators, a group of Kelowna home-school students to students from Pleasant Valley Secondary School in Armstrong.

Returning this year is the RCMP/DARE Youth team with support provided through the MP Foundation. They are going up against the newly formed Armstrong Scouts Catapult team.

This event is also a family affair: The Smithsonian Pumpkin Tossers are coming from Kamloops as part of grandpa’s 70th birthday celebration.

The launch rules are simple: human-powered only – no limit to the size of the launcher or what it is made from.

This year, in addition to the closest to the target, distance and costume categories, there will also be adult/business, home-school youth and youth/adult categories

Deadline for registration is today.

Those that get closest to the target and travel farthest win prizes.

For those who rely on eye-catching costumes instead of engineering skills, a costume prize is also up for grabs.

And watch for a special entry this year – a demo category has been added – Pumpkin Cannons – which will run as a trial this year.

The launch event is sponsored by Re/Max Armstrong realtors Sharon Dahl and Mike Beck, who have been busy reinforcing last year’s target, which is a little worse for wear after the 2008 event.

For more information call the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce 250-546-8155 or go to www.aschamber.com for registration forms or an event schedule.