Front Royal Airport Hosts 2nd Annual ‘Pumpkin Drop’ Pilot Competition as Halloween-Themed Family Fun

Starting our Saturday, October 25th, visit to Halloween-related events was Front Royal Airports “Pumpkin Drop” pilot competition held in front of a Halloween-ready crowd, some prepping their Halloween evening Trick or Treat costumes. We reached out to members of the Warren County Airport Commission for details on the event scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. We got this information from Commission Vice-Chairman and Secretary John Bert:

“This is the second year that the Warren County Airport Commission has hosted ‘The Pumpkin Drop’. There have been Halloween events in the past, but we added the ‘Pumpkin Drop’ last year. Some smaller airfields host pumpkin drops as a singular attraction. We wanted to expand the event to get kids involved in a trunk-or-treat costume contest, and other activities as well as a traditional pilot fly-in pancake breakfast and food trucks. This year, we had about 350 – 400 people show up over the course of the five hours with many pilots flying in from local airports. One pilot flew in from Florida and another flew in from Michigan!

A long-shot perspective on the crowd enjoying the aerial ‘Pumpkin Drop’ competition, and treats. Below, some patrons are situated by a parked plane near the head of the runway. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

“We hope to keep hosting this event annually to make residents of Warren County know they have an airport in the area and bring attention to aviation and careers in aviation available with such close proximity to Dulles, Reagan, and BWI international Airports. Our next event will be in May of 2026 and has traditionally been a Wings and Wheels event, merging two great passions of folks and adding food to the mix!!!”

And Commission member Erik Van Weezendonk reported on this year’s “Pumpkin Drop” winning team: “The Pumpkin Drop winner was a direct hit on their second drop. Pilot Bill Lacy, assisted by bombardier Jake Snider, from a Piper J-3 Cub. A direct hit on the 🎯 – target!!!

And while it may not be the Lacy-Snider winning team, we will continue our photo documentation of the event with these “Pumpkin Drop” runs toward the runway, centered target site, and preps for takeoffs, along with more crowd shots to come.

One plane makes its run over the airport runway area drop zone. A shot of the start of another plane’s drop run from a different angle. And the event signs welcoming patrons to the ‘Scare Port’ for a day.

Two yellow outbound planes – The outbound biplane moves toward takeoff position behind the single wing that led it toward the takeoff point, as one young spectator discusses what he’s been watching. Another angle of the crowd nearest the terminal, including an apparent Spider-Man who looks a bit worried at what he’s been watching.

What appears to be a card-drawing table, with a pumpkin on it to remind patrons where they are. Reports on the competition came from a microphone area near the entrance to the terminal. And one costumed spectator follows a taller one toward the action.

Some final perspectives on the aerial-themed pre-Halloween event, including one plane that also appears to be watching what’s going on up there.