Nationals are back the third weekend of October in Oakley, Kansas for the 5th time. Have you witnessed a Cornhusker in action? The day is a step-back in time when farmers picked the husks of corn off the stalk one by one ... before mechanized cornpickers replaced hand-huskers in 1941. The contest sat dormant for 30 years, until the contest was revived in 1971 with Oakley hosting the National Contest. Nine Midwestern states including Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Kansas now host their own state cornhusking contest each fall, keeping closely with the rules and styles of the events held in the 20's, 30's and up until World War II, with the exception of husking times (which have been reduced from 80 minutes to 10, 20 or 30 minutes depending on the class). Teams of horses pulling wagons run along-side the huskers for them to toss the husked ears of corn into as they race the clock. It truly gives you a glimpse of agriculture before the invention of high production farm implements, when the back breaking work was done by hand, one husk at a time.

The annual Cornhusking Contest is a great opportunity to get our whole community involved! Have any corn recipes your family and friends rave about or that you're famous for? Activities begin on Friday, October 15, with the Chamber of Commerce sponsored "Corn Cook-off"! If you enjoy the chance to gather new recipes or better yet, are willing to share your talents in the kitchen with our local "VIP" judges, the VFW Hall is the place to be that day. The contest will begin at 11:00 am. Guidelines and information on the "Corn Cook--off' are available at the Chamber of Commerce office from Jodie Wright

A reception hosted by Swart-Park Motors on Friday afternoon from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. for early registrations and a desert. We encourage everyone who plans to husk bright and early the next morning to beat the registration rush and enjoy coffee, tea and cookies.

Friday evening there is also a home football game - you would have the opportunity to watch a state qualifying team play in Oakley.

The actual cornhusking contest will take place on Saturday, October 16 at the Buffalo Bill statute location just west of Oakley with registration beginning at 8:00 a.m. in the Buffalo Bill cabin. Husking will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the Gary and Raelene Keller cornfield by the Buffalo Bill statute on West Second Street, at U.S. 83.

The Girls Day Out (arts and craft 'show) will showcase items for sale at the Logan County 4-H building on Saturday from 9:00 to 3:00 p.m. Concessions (including homemade pie!) will be available at the north end of the 4-H building throughout the day.

The "Com Ear Throwing Contest" sponsored by The Bank will commence at 1:00 p.m. and the ever popular "Kid's Corn Pile Money Hunt" will begin at 2:30 p.m.

Please attend our annual Awards Banquet at 7:00 p.m. where winners from the State competition will be recognized and honored and entertainment provided.