Harvard scholar sails the Charles River in an enormous pumpkin

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Ben Chang had two targets this semester: to lift cash for his student-lab and to drift in an enormous pumpkin.

Ben Chang paddles a pumpkin across the Charles.
Ben Chang set sail on the Charles River in an enormous 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 good 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 called Reddit person 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 experience a pumpkin down the Charles River
byu/Benjamin621 inboston

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

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

The Reddit submit efficiently related Chang to Tim Myra, who instructed WBZ’s Matt Shearer he thought the undertaking was “superior” and volunteered certainly one of his forklifts to move the pumpkin. 

At its last vacation spot the white behemoth was carved by Chang and his mates.

Freed from pumpkin guts, individuals 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 mentioned throughout their time within the giant 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 glad that is occurring,” Chang mentioned.