Harvard scholar crosses the Charles River in a large pumpkin

Native Information

Ben Chang had two objectives this semester: to boost cash for his student-lab and to drift in a large pumpkin.

Ben Chang paddles a pumpkin across the Charles.
Ben Chang set sail on the Charles River in a large pumpkin this weekend, WBZ radio reported. WBZ Radio

A Harvard scholar crossed the Charles River this weekend with nothing however an oar, a 1,500 pound pumpkin, and a dream, WBZ NewsRadio reported in a TikTok on Sunday. 

@wbznewsradio It’s the nice pumpkin, Charles River. #Boston #Massachusetts #NewEngland #HarvardUniversity #HarvardSquare #massachusettsinstituteoftechnology #CambridgeMA #AllstonMA #BrightonMA #CharlesRiver #WatertownMA #BostonUniversity #EmersonCollege #BostonCheck #BostonTikTok ♬ unique sound – WBZ NewsRadio

Ben Chang, also referred to as Reddit consumer Benjamin 621, made headlines in early October. Chang posted to Reddit asking to borrow a forklift, with one very particular objective in thoughts. 

Assist borrowing forklift to trip a pumpkin down the Charles River
byu/Benjamin621 inboston

“It’s my life’s dream to row a large pumpkin down the Charles River and I’ve lastly saved up sufficient cash to buy one, however I simply came upon from the pumpkin grower that I would like a forklift to obtain it (as it’s 1,000 kilos),” Chang wrote.

Chang informed WBZ the wacky scheme was in an effort to boost cash for a student-led lab.

The Reddit put up efficiently linked Chang to Tim Myra, who informed WBZ’s Matt Shearer he thought the mission was “superior” and volunteered one in every of his forklifts to move the pumpkin. 

At its remaining vacation spot the white behemoth was carved by Chang and his associates.

Freed from pumpkin guts, members paid to take turns hopping within the vessel and going for spins on the Charles. An oar and a life vest have been all that stood between them and the chilly river. 

“I really feel like I’m within the womb once more,” one participant stated throughout their time within the massive squash.

The final act of Chang’s spectacular feat was left to him: to cross the Charles within the pumpkin all by himself. 

In a captain’s hat and a Harvard sweatshirt, the scholar set sail and noticed out his mission. The river was efficiently crossed in a pumpkin as heavy as a grand piano.

“My dad and mom aren’t tremendous completely satisfied that is occurring,” Chang stated.