CHARLESTON, W.Va. – BridgeValley Community & Technical College will host its 27th Annual Capital City Pumpkin Drop on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at GoMart Ballpark in Charleston. The annual event will bring together students from more than 20 schools across West Virginia for a hands-on STEAM competition that combines science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

The opening ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m., with the competition starting at 9 a.m. Student teams will put their creativity and problem-solving skills to the test by designing and building protective structures intended to keep their pumpkins intact when dropped from a significant height.

The Pumpkin Drop gives students an opportunity to apply classroom concepts to a real-world engineering challenge while encouraging creativity, collaboration and critical thinking.

“Events like the Capital City Pumpkin Drop give students the opportunity to see how the skills they learn in the classroom can be applied to real-world challenges,” said Dr. Chris Treadway, president of BridgeValley Community & Technical College. “We’re proud to bring students together for an experience that encourages curiosity, creativity and problem-solving while making learning fun.”

More than 40 volunteers will help support this year’s event, which will be emceed by Steve Zubrzycki, known as “Steve Z,” from 98.7 The Mountain.

This year’s event is sponsored by Toyota, ZMM, Covestro, Dinsmore, the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation and US Methanol. BridgeValley also thanks the City of Charleston and AEP for their assistance in helping make the event possible.

For more than 26 years, the Capital City Pumpkin Drop has encouraged students to explore STEAM through an engaging, hands-on experience while bringing schools and community partners together.