Do you have what it takes to be crowned King of Fling? What it takes, of course, is a working catapult. If you do happen to have a trebuchet lying around the house (or if you are willing to build one), consider entering the King of Fling Catapult Contest taking place at this year's Maker Faire. Your hurling machine will be judged on accuracy, and must follow the guidelines laid out in the King of Fling Contest Manual (version 1.2). Eligible catapults can be gravity, spring or human powered and should be built to hurl four ounce water balloons at targets approximately 80 feet away from the firing line.

Spectators can view this smashing spectacle by attending Maker Faire on Saturday, October 18th at 12:30pm. Prospective King of Fling participants can fill out a registration form and bring their machines to the catapult range on the day of the event. Participation will be limited to the first twenty catapult handlers who show up.

Maker Faire is a celebration of all things D-I-Y and is taking place in Austin on Saturday, October 18th and Sunday, October 19th at the Travis County Expo Center. The King of Fling Contest will be held on Saturday at 12:30pm.