Do you enjoy the corny things in life? If so, you’ll want to mark your calendars to visit the western Kansas town of Oakley this October. Each year, the people of Oakley and more than 600 visitors shuck corn at the annual Corn Festival.

The event celebrates the historically popular competitive event of cornhusking. Yes — we said cornhusking was popular and competitive. In the 1920s and 30s, competitive cornhusking drew crowds of up to 100,000 people. The first national contest in Kansas was in Norton in 1930, with an attendance of 25,000.

Although it isn’t a recognized sport anymore, western Kansans still consider cornhusking popular and entertaining. In its 44th year, the Oakley Corn Festival will host another exciting husking contest Oct. 10. Attendance is free.

“Oakley is the only place the Kansas State Cornhusking Contest is held,” says Raelene Keller, who with her husband, Gary, provides land for the contest. “We are happy to share our land and corn crop for the community event. Our land is an ideal location next to the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center, where the event is hosted.”

The Contest

Cornhusking requires competitors to husk the largest amount of ear corn and toss it into a wagon during a specific time.

“You’ve gotta get a rhythm,” John Scherer, a 2014 competitive husker from Lancaster says. “Every little second counts. You don’t want to be looking at the wagon. Well you can, but you will be wasting time.”

Cora Lee Park, a novice husker in the 2014 contest, says the competition is a reminder of how farming used to be.

“It’s fun stepping back in time. You get an appreciation of what our early farmers did every day,” she says. “It is hard work and I like the competitiveness. Everyone can learn to do it, so it is fun for all ages.”

On the morning of Sat., Oct. 10, huskers can compete individually or as part of a team. Novice huskers can compete in a 10-minute competition and a three-person team will husk for five minutes for a total of 15 minutes. This is a great activity for school groups, scouts, 4-H, FFA and other youth groups. Teams can include friends or family members. Get mom and dad or grandpa together and start a family tradition.

“It’s really fun for folks to compete or even watch,” says Laurie Millensifer, director of the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center. “This is something the entire family can enjoy and look forward to each year.”

If you’re interested in competing, registrations are taken until the contest begins. The cost is $13-18, but you can try it out for fun, free of charge.

When the contest is completed, the shucked corn is put into a combine that fills an area with corn kernels. Coins sponsored by The Bank of Oakley are put into the pile for kids to dig for. Each group of kids gets three minutes to search for coins. Then the corn is shoveled into a dump truck and taken to the elevator.

“In small communities, it is vital that people support opportunities for learning, fun and sharing of local resources,” Keller says. “This is one possibility for youth to be exposed to agriculture.”

The Oakley Corn Festival opens on Fri., Oct. 9. You can taste-test corn recipes at area businesses and vote for your favorite. In addition to the contest, Saturday’s events include an antique tractor display, a pumpkin carving contest and a “Girls’ Day Out” event.

“Agriculture is the heartbeat of western Kansas,” Keller says. “Cornhusking blends older technology with the new, and past traditions with present practices.”