2B WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17, 2014
Corn Husking
2014 MARSHALLNEWS.COM
Corn husking competition packed full of educational events Since the earliest days of settlements in the Midwest, corn has been a vital part of the farm economy. Husking corn by hand is a heritage craft that requires skill and practice to master. Each year contest teams pit themselves and their horse and mule teams against each other to determine who is the best. Missouri State Corn Husking Championship keeps history alive with a fun and educational competition, which takes place Saturday, Sept. 27. Every fifth year, Marshall is privileged to host the National Corn Husking Championships and will be host in 2017. The corn husking skill has been passed down through
generations. Contestants test their skill at the task of husking corn by hand. Men, women, youth and senior citizens compete in their respective class for husking trophies. Registration for the husking competition begins at 7 a.m. Saturday. The competition will begin at 8 a.m. at the north field on the Saline County Fairground. There is no admission fee. Classes are broken down into ages and gender as well as a novice class. The public is invited to come see the competitors and see the draft horses work in
Rachel Knight/Democrat-News
see Events, page 4B
A team of mules pulls a wagon with the Wood & Huston Bank team through the Corn Husking Parade Friday, Sept. 27, 2013.
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Corn Husking
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Ronnie Walsh prepares for the corn husking competition after 24 years of participating by Jesse Brown Staff Writer Ronnie Walsh, 68, of Kansas City, has been driving horses for Marshall’s corn husking competition since 1990, participating in the competition with his Uncle Leo and younger brother, Randy. It has been in his blood since growing up in Brookfield, where his family kept their horses. “You just have to, I guess, more or less know what you’re doing about driving horses,” Walsh said. “You have to watch them so they don’t run off with you.” Today, Marshall is one of the few corn husking competitions that still uses horses. Most competitions use tractors these days due to horse availability and simply because it’s cost effective. “I think it’s because, for one thing, to get your
teamsters and stuff here, it costs a lot of money for those guys to load those horses up and bring their wagons,” Carolyn Taylor, a member of the Missouri State Corn Husking Association, said. “Also, it costs a lot of money to have horses... for feed and whathave-you. It’s just easier to hook up a wagon with a tractor and pull it.” Taylor and Gary Dowell, another member of the Missouri State Cor Husking Association, also agreed that it has become a Marshall tradition to drive with horses. From 1990 to 2010, Walsh said he drove his own and his uncle’s horses for the competition until his Uncle Leo passed away in 2010. However, for the last four years, Mark and Janice Richardson, from Carney, asked Walsh to
see Teams, page 5B
Rachel Knight/Democrat-News
Ronnie Walsh, 68, of Kansas City, drives a team of Percheron draft horses, owned by Mark and Janice Richardson, at the Corn Husking Parade Friday, Sept. 27, 2013. His passengers include Gary Dowell and Carolyn Taylor from the Missouri State Corn Husking Association.
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Corn Husking
4B WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17, 2014
2014 MARSHALLNEWS.COM
Events continued from page 2B
the field. Corn husking is also about educating those about the tradition. A biscuit and gravy breakfast will be served from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday in the Multipurpose Building on the fairground. Adult tickets are $4 and children 8 and
under are $3. The antique machinery show, which is free to the public, begins at 8 a.m. and will be open all day. The awards banquet, served with a great catered home cooked meal, begins at 6 p.m. in the Multipurpose Building. The cost is $9 for adults and $5 for chil-
dren 6-8 years old. This event is open to the public as well. From 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, Education Day offers fourth-grade classes from around the county to see corn shelling to apple cider making and more from yesteryear. This event is open to the public as well.
Rachel Knight/Democrat-News
An antique 1920 Traffic 2-ton truck, owned by J.I. Akeman and Bob Newman of Slater, makes its way down North Jefferson Avenue at the 2013 Corn Husking Parade Friday, Sept. 27.
Democrat-News file photo
Judy Deal teaches Sweet Springs third-grade students about corn husking gloves and hooks that were used in the past at the Corn Husking Education Day Thursday, Sept. 26, at the Saline County Fairground.
Bring the whole family out to enjoy the Cornhusking and Santa Fe Trails Days
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Attendees can view antique farm equipment at the Saline County Fairground during the timeframe as well as a home from the past. The Corn Husking Parade is one of the highlights of the event and will take place at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, around the Marshall square. Bands, tractors, draft
horses and wagons, and floats compete for prizes with area civic clubs participating. To enter the parade, register at Marshall City Offices, 114 N. Lafayette Ave. in Marshall, call 660886-2225, or mail information to Connie Latimer, parade chairman, 1620 E. Eastwood St., Marshall, MO 65340.
Line up is at the corner of Arrow and North Street at 3 p.m. In conjunction with the corn husking events, Missouri Valley College’s Viking Stampede Rodeo will take place nightly at 7 p.m. starting Thursday. There will be 19 colleges participating in the event located at the lower arena on the fairground.
MISSOURI STATE CORN HUSKING CHAMPIONSHIPS
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Corn Husking
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2014
5B WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17, 2014
Teams The corn husking competition is one of Walsh’s favorite times of the year, something he can always look forward to. “When I was working, I worked for General Motors, and I would take my vacation every year at that time, so we can go down there,” Walsh said, explaining how he would coordinate the event before he retired. Dowell, who has
continued from page 3B
drive their horses for the event. “The ones that Mark bring me have been very good horses to drive,” Walsh said. “I take my own wagon.” Walsh said the horses he would always drive before were Belgian horses, but the ones that Mark brings are black Percheron horses.
Rachel Knight/Democrat-News
Last year’s competition weather was less than cooperative. These teamsters are ready to roll for the 2013 Missouri State Corn Husking Competition despite the pouring rain.
Rachel Knight/Democrat-News
This teamster is all smiles after a dreary day that turned beautiful in time for the 2013 Missouri State Corn Husking Competition.
known Walsh for more than 20 years, attests he is one of the best. “He takes care of the horses real good and they handle him easy and they take real good care of him,” Dowell said. Dowell explains the preparation of the horses start by grooming them up, then placing the har-
see Teams, page 8B
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Corn Husking
6B WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17, 2014
2014 MARSHALLNEWS.COM
Santa Fe Trail Day to take place in conjunction with corn husking Why does Marshall have a Santa Fe Trail historical marker in a prominent spot on the courthouse square? Most people who pay attention to local history probably know about Arrow Rock’s key role as the Missouri River crossing point for the trade route from Missouri to New Mexico, but the trail was established nearly two decades before Marshall was officially born. This year’s Santa Fe Trail Day festivities will take place Saturday, Sept. 27, and is sponsored by the Marshall Cultural Council with funding
from Missouri Arts Council. Santa Fe Trail Day is an opportunity to celebrate Marshall’s history with an entertaining family event on the Marshall square. As often happens, trade creates opportunities for cultural exchange, and the Santa Fe Trail created a chance for white settlers, Native Americans and Mexican merchants to share music and dance traditions. To celebrate that exchange, Santa Fe Trail Day will feature performances by El Grupo Folklorico Atotonilco, a Mexican folk dance com-
Contributed photo
Preston Tone-pah-hote
pany, and Preston TonePah-Hote, a Kiowa dancer with three Eagle Talon Brotherhood dancers in full regalia. The event will begin at 7 a.m. with the Marshall Lion’s Club 10K Run. Marshall’s farmers market, Market on the Square, will be open from 8 a.m. to noon. Craft vendors will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors will get a glimpse at early 19th century Saline County through exhibits and characters who portray life on the trail, fur trapping, country doctoring, a school marm and more. There will be old time games for kids. Cargill’s traditional chuck wagon dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with proceeds benefiting Saline County United Way. Tickets are $6 in advance, $8 the day of the event, and $5 for children under 12. There will be four contests to give visitors a chance to really get into the 19th century spirit: – A baby contest for children 6 to 23 months; – A prince and princesses contest for 2 to 5 year olds, who must dress in a Santa Fe Trail period costume to participate; – A period dress contest for men, women and children; – A birthday cake making contest to celebrate Marshall’s 175th
birthday. There are separate categories for professionals, adults, teens and children. Cakes can be traditional or “something specular.” Cupcakes can be entered but they should be arranged for effect. The cakes will be served all day to the public free of charge. Entry forms for these contests can be obtained at The Marshall Democrat-News, 121 N. Lafayette Ave.; the Marshall Chamber of Commerce, 214 N. Lafayette Ave.; Square Corner, 26 N. Jefferson Ave.; and Patricia’s Foods, 925 W. College St. Craft vendors wishing to register for a booth should contact Kathy Green at kakgreen@yahoo.com. For more information 660-229-4845.
Contribute photos
El Grupo Folklorico Atotonilco
Democrat-News file photo
Carlos Olmedo (left) and Wes Craig (right) serves food at the Santa Fe Trail Days Chuck Wagon Kickoff Dinner Friday, Sept. 13, 2013.
Corn Husking
MARSHALLNEWS.COM
Santa Fe Trail Day 2014 Schedule of Events Courthouse Lawn 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Craft Show View exhibits and talk with costume characters: Missouri Trappers and Traders, Native Americans, Cowboys, Country Doctor, School Marm, Oldtime Games, Wheelmen on Bicycles 10 a.m. Judging of the Best 175th Birthday Cake Contest 10:30 a.m. Chicken Squat BINGO 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Chuck Wagon Dinner Dinner tickets can be purchased at the Marshall Chamber of Commerce office
North Street Stage 9 a.m. Baby Contest
2014
7B WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17, 2014
2014 MISSOURI STATE CORN HUSKING CHAMPIONSHIPS SEPTEMBER 25 THRU 27 All events take place at: Saline County Fairgrounds Highway 65 • Marshall, Mo.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Education Day 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Open to the public.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
Parade - 4 p.m. Line up 3p.m. Corner of Arrow & North Streets To enter Parade: Register at Marshall City Offices, 214 N. Lafayette, Marshall, MO 65340 660-886-2225
THURSDAY • FRIDAY • SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 25 - 27, 2014
Missouri Valley College Viking Stampede Rodeo - 7 p.m. Nightly. Lower Arena. Concessions by Marshall Kiwanis Club.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 Antique Machinery Show - All day
10 a.m. Princes and Princesses Contest (2-5 years old)
Biscuit & Gravy Breakfast - 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
11 a.m. Preston Tone-pah-hote and Eagle Brotherhood Singers, Drummers and Dancers
Multipurpose Building Adults $4, Children 8 and under $3
12 p.m. Historical Costume Contest 2 p.m. El Grupo Folklorico Atotonilco Mexican Folk Dancers (Contest applications are available at Marshall Chamber of Commerce, The Marshall Democrat-News, Square Corner and Patricia’s)
Missouri State Corn Husking Competition Registration 7 a.m. at the field competition begins 8 a.m. Missouri State Corn Husking Awards Banquet 6 p.m. Multipurpose Building, tickets $9, Children 8-6 $5. Open to public. Enjoy a catered home cooked meal.
Santa Fe Trail Days On the Marshall Square For More Information
P.O. Box 124 • Marshall, MO 65340 • 660-631-2862
Corn Husking
8B WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17, 2014
2014 MARSHALLNEWS.COM
Teams continued from page 5B
ness on and attaching them to the wagon. Walsh said he’ll arrive in Marshall on Wednesday, Sept. 24, to partake in other corn husking activities throughout the weekend, but when asked why he still drives horses today,
his answer is simple: “I enjoy driving horses. It’s work, but it’s still a lot of fun too.” The corn husking competition starts at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the north field of the Saline County Fairground. Contact Jesse Brown at jbrown@marshallnews.com
Results from the 2014 competition will be posted online at www.marshallnews.com Rachel Knight/Democrat-News
Corn husking is a family tradition. From left, Judy Deal, Chris Deal, Lawrence Deal, Henry Deal and Emma Johnson. Chris receives his score for the Missouri State Corn Husking Competition Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, which causes his family to celebrate his achievement at the end of the event.
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