Smashing Pumpkins at the Discovery Center Museum

Not sure what to do with that jack-o’-lantern after Halloween? Snatch that pumpkin with the caved-in face off your porch and take it to Discovery Center on Sunday, November 5 for the museum’s annual Smashing Pumpkins event. Newton’s laws of motion take on new perspective as jack-o’-lanterns turn into exciting science! Send porch décor flying through the air with a giant trebuchet, a counterweight catapult used in medieval times, or surrender it for target practice. Create your own miniature catapult and celebrate with autumn crafts and activities. At the end, pumpkin pieces are collected and fed to local livestock, so everyone wins! Special activities are outside from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, but the museum is open 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Admission includes all activities and is $10 per person for the general public; free for members and children ages 1 and younger. Parking is free. The event is sponsored by Sjostrom & Sons, Illinois Bank & Trust, Rockford FiberCity, LaLoggia Investment Group and the Illinois Arts Council Agency.