Every year, millions of pumpkins are hollowed out across the country to adorn front porches and yards on Halloween. Pumpkins are the face of autumn for many, but anyone who's ever carved a pumpkin will tell you of the less-pleasant tradition of watching your gourd rot away in the weeks following Halloween.

The 13th annual Pumpkin Madness Fest provides one solution for expired jack-o'-lanterns: destroy them, but in a fun way. The event will return to Cherry Crest Adventure Farm, 150 Cherry Hill Road, Ronks, on Saturday, Nov. 5, from noon to 5 p.m., and festivities will include the destruction of pumpkins via smashing, throwing and dropping them. Attendees are invited to recycle their own Halloween pumpkins, or they can choose a pumpkin supplied by the farm at no cost.

Among the activities will be the Sky Pumpkin Drop, where pumpkins are released from the top of a large lift onto a ground target, a pumpkin throwing contest, a pumpkin ring toss, pumpkin bowling and pumpkin golf. Those who wish to bring about their pumpkin's demise in a more personal manner will have an opportunity to do so with a rubber mallet during the all-ages pumpkin smashing activity.

Pumpkin Madness Fest will also offer many different pumpkin-themed foods for purchase, such as pumpkin whoopie pies, pumpkin trail mix, pumpkin cheesecake and rolls, pumpkin pie and pumpkin chili, the latter of which will be provided by the Paradise Fire Company.

"Pumpkin Madness Fest started as a non-scary way for people to celebrate Halloween," said Cathy Kornfield from Cherry Crest Adventure Farm. "It's all about pumpkin destruction, and there's no charge for pumpkins that day."

At 3 p.m., the first of three giant pumpkin drops will occur: The Ultimate Car Wrecker drop will feature two pumpkins that weigh nearly 1,000 pounds each being released onto an old car from the top of a lift. At 5 p.m., a pumpkin weighing over 1,700 pounds will be dropped for the Ultimate Splat Splash. Finally, a giant pumpkin filled with glow-in-the-dark water will be dropped for the finale at 7 p.m. The event will conclude with fireworks at 8:30 p.m.

For more information, visit http://www.cherrycrestfarm.com/festivals.