State corn-husking competition returns to Nappanee this Saturday

Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 10:00 PM

By Kathy Bottorff

The Indiana Corn Husking Association will host its annual Indiana State Hand Corn Husking Competition this Saturday at the Brent & Ashley Reed Farm at 27615 County Road 48 in Nappanee.

The first corn husking contest was conducted 98 years ago, and this year’s event is expected to draw participants from across the state.

Cornhusking means “the removal of the husk from an ear of corn,” making those who perform the task ‘cornhuskers.’

The Indiana Corn Husking Association, a nonprofit organization, is committed to preserving the history and traditional methods of hand-harvesting corn. Years ago, families and communities worked together to harvest corn by hand, often using horse-drawn wagons.

Today, nine states, including Indiana, hold their own competitions to determine the top three finishers in each class, who then move on to the national corn-husking contest.

The Indiana event is open to all residents and welcomes out-of-state participants. There are 14 competition classes, ranging from boys and girls 14 and under to men and women 65 and older.

Registration for the competition is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the contest will continue until the last participant finishes husking. The event is held rain or shine.

Participants can compete individually or join a team of four. The entry fee ranges from $10 to $20, while spectators can enjoy the event for free.

Various food, refreshments, ice cream, and Indiana Corn Husking Association apparel will be for sale.

Families can also enjoy a kids’ activity area, a corn pit, and educational demonstrations on husking techniques.

In addition to the competition, the event will feature horse- or tractor-pulled husking wagons, a corn sheller processing the harvested corn and a display of antique tractors and corn-related equipment. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own antique items to share.

For more details, visit the Indiana Corn Husking Association’s Facebook page or contact President Clay Geyer at 574-952-7197 or Ted Richard at 574-223-2747.

This year’s national competition will be held Oct. 19-20 in Hastings, Iowa.