corn husking 2014

2BWEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17, 2014 MARSHALLNEWS.COMCorn Husking 2014

200 North Banquet Dr - Marshall

Growing with Marshall for over 80 Years ...

Corn husking competition packed full of educational eventsSince the earliest days of set-

tlements in the Midwest, cornhas been a vital part of the farmeconomy. Husking corn byhand is a heritage craft that re-quires skill and practice to mas-ter. Each year contest teams pitthemselves and their horse andmule teams against each otherto determine who is the best.

Missouri State Corn HuskingChampionship keeps historyalive with a fun and educationalcompetition, which takes placeSaturday, Sept. 27. Every fifthyear, Marshall is privileged tohost the National Corn HuskingChampionships and will behost in 2017.

The corn husking skill hasbeen passed down through

generations.Contestants test their skill at

the task of husking corn byhand. Men, women, youth andsenior citizens compete in theirrespective class for huskingtrophies.

Registration for the huskingcompetition begins at 7 a.m.Saturday. The competition willbegin at 8 a.m. at the north fieldon the Saline County Fair-ground. There is no admissionfee. Classes are broken downinto ages and gender as well asa novice class.

The public is invited tocome see the competitors andsee the draft horses work in Rachel Knight/Democrat-News

A team of mules pulls a wagon with the Wood & Huston Bank team through the CornHusking Parade Friday, Sept. 27, 2013. see Events, page 4B

by Jesse BrownStaff Writer

Ronnie Walsh, 68, ofKansas City, has been driv-ing horses for Marshall’scorn husking competitionsince 1990, participatingin the competition with hisUncle Leo and youngerbrother, Randy. It has beenin his blood since growingup in Brookfield, where hisfamily kept their horses.

“You just have to, Iguess, more or less knowwhat you’re doing aboutdriving horses,” Walshsaid. “You have to watchthem so they don’t run offwith you.”

Today, Marshall is oneof the few corn huskingcompetitions that still useshorses. Most competitionsuse tractors these daysdue to horse availabilityand simply because it’scost effective.

“I think it’s because, forone thing, to get your

teamsters and stuff here, itcosts a lot of money forthose guys to load thosehorses up and bring theirwagons,” Carolyn Taylor, amember of the MissouriState Corn Husking Asso-ciation, said. “Also, it costsa lot of money to havehorses... for feed and what-have-you. It’s just easier tohook up a wagon with atractor and pull it.”

Taylor and Gary Dowell,another member of theMissouri State Cor Husk-ing Association, alsoagreed that it has becomea Marshall tradition todrive with horses.

From 1990 to 2010,Walsh said he drove hisown and his uncle’s horsesfor the competition untilhis Uncle Leo passed awayin 2010. However, for thelast four years, Mark andJanice Richardson, fromCarney, asked Walsh to

3BWEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17, 2014MARSHALLNEWS.COM Corn Husking 2014

One Source for All Your Equipment Needs.P.O. Box 400, 2571 S. OdellMarshall, Missouri 65340

(660) 886-7427FAX: (660) 886-7156

pp

Missouri’s Premier Grain Handling &Storage Equipment Supplier Along with a

Complete Line of Parts & Service.With hard work and dedication, we have continuedto grow throughout our 54 years in business.

Sukup Axial Fans • Maximum airflow at lower static pressures• For aeration or drying• Galvanized housings resist rust• Exclusive built-in venture on 24” and larger fansincreases airflow

• Unique square end plates maintain accurateroundness of the housing and give uniform support

Malta Bend, MO 65339

Slater, MO 65349

Marshall, MO 65340660-886-6976

Waverly, MO 64096

Blackburn, MO 65321

Miami, MO 65344

Ronnie Walsh prepares for the corn huskingcompetition after 24 years of participating

Rachel Knight/Democrat-News

Ronnie Walsh, 68, ofKansas City, drives ateam of Percherondraft horses, owned byMark and JaniceRichardson, at theCorn Husking ParadeFriday, Sept. 27, 2013.His passengers includeGary Dowell and Car-olyn Taylor from theMissouri State CornHusking Association.see Teams, page 5B


www.communitybankmarshall.com

Bring the whole family outto enjoy the Cornhuskingand Santa Fe Trails Days

BLACKBURN • MALTA BEND

SWEET SPRINGS • WAVERLYMARSHALL

MISSOURI STATE CORNHUSKING CHAMPIONSHIPS

830 N.Miami,Marshall660-886-9645 • www.monsanto.com

Events

the field.Corn husking is also

about educating thoseabout the tradition.

A biscuit and gravybreakfast will be servedfrom 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Sat-urday in the Multipur-pose Building on thefairground. Adult ticketsare $4 and children 8 and

under are $3.The antique machin-

ery show, which is free tothe public, begins at 8a.m. and will be open allday.

The awards banquet,served with a greatcatered home cookedmeal, begins at 6 p.m. inthe Multipurpose Build-ing. The cost is $9 foradults and $5 for chil-

dren 6-8 years old. Thisevent is open to the pub-lic as well.

From 8:30 a.m. to 1p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25,Education Day offersfourth-grade classesfrom around the countyto see corn shelling toapple cider making andmore from yesteryear.This event is open to thepublic as well.

Attendees can viewantique farm equipmentat the Saline County Fair-ground during the time-frame as well as a homefrom the past.

The Corn Husking Pa-rade is one of the high-lights of the event andwill take place at 4 p.m.Friday, Sept. 26, aroundthe Marshall square.Bands, tractors, draft

horses and wagons, andfloats compete for prizeswith area civic clubs par-ticipating.

To enter the parade,register at Marshall CityOffices, 114 N. LafayetteAve. in Marshall, call 660-886-2225, or mail infor-mation to ConnieLatimer, parade chair-man, 1620 E. EastwoodSt., Marshall, MO 65340.

Line up is at the cor-ner of Arrow and NorthStreet at 3 p.m.

In conjunction withthe corn husking events,Missouri Valley College’sViking Stampede Rodeowill take place nightly at7 p.m. starting Thursday.There will be 19 collegesparticipating in the eventlocated at the lowerarena on the fairground.

continued from page 2B

Democrat-News file photo

Judy Deal teaches Sweet Springs third-grade students about corn husk-ing gloves and hooks that were used in the past at the Corn Husking Ed-ucation Day Thursday, Sept. 26, at the Saline County Fairground.


An antique 1920 Traffic 2-ton truck, owned by J.I. Akeman and BobNewman of Slater, makes its way down North Jefferson Avenue at the2013 Corn Husking Parade Friday, Sept. 27.

drive their horses for theevent.

“The ones that Markbring me have been verygood horses to drive,”Walsh said. “I take my ownwagon.”

Walsh said the horseshe would always drive be-fore were Belgian horses,but the ones that Markbrings are blackPercheron horses.

The corn husking com-petition is one of Walsh’sfavorite times of the year,something he can alwayslook forward to.

“When I was working, Iworked for General Mo-tors, and I would take myvacation every year at thattime, so we can go downthere,” Walsh said, explain-ing how he would coordi-nate the event before heretired.

Dowell, who has

known Walsh for morethan 20 years, attests he isone of the best.

“He takes care of thehorses real good and theyhandle him easy and theytake real good care of him,”Dowell said.

Dowell explains thepreparation of the horsesstart by grooming themup, then placing the har-


Your Painting HeadquartersYour Painting HeadquartersInterior Spred Satin

$2650gallon

152 W. Morgan St., • Marshall, MO • 886-7406Open: Mon.-Fri, 7 am - 5 pm • Sat., 8 am - 1 pm

gallon

Spred House Flat$3249

Teamscontinued from page 3B


Last year’s competition weather was less than cooperative. These teamsters are ready to roll forthe 2013 Missouri State Corn Husking Competition despite the pouring rain.


This teamster is all smiles after a dreary daythat turned beautiful in time for the 2013 MissouriState Corn Husking Competition. see Teams, page 8B


Santa Fe Trail Day to take place in conjunction with corn huskingWhy does Marshall

have a Santa Fe Trail his-torical marker in a promi-nent spot on thecourthouse square?

Most people who payattention to local historyprobably know aboutArrow Rock’s key role asthe Missouri River cross-ing point for the traderoute from Missouri toNew Mexico, but the trailwas established nearlytwo decades before Mar-shall was officially born.

This year’s Santa FeTrail Day festivities willtake place Saturday, Sept.27, and is sponsored bythe Marshall CulturalCouncil with funding

from Missouri Arts Coun-cil.

Santa Fe Trail Day is anopportunity to celebrateMarshall’s history with anentertaining family eventon the Marshall square.

As often happens,trade creates opportuni-ties for cultural exchange,and the Santa Fe Trail cre-ated a chance for whitesettlers, Native Ameri-cans and Mexican mer-chants to share music anddance traditions.

To celebrate that ex-change, Santa Fe TrailDay will feature perform-ances by El Grupo Folk-lorico Atotonilco, aMexican folk dance com-

pany, and Preston Tone-Pah-Hote, a Kiowa dancerwith three Eagle TalonBrotherhood dancers infull regalia.

The event will begin at7 a.m. with the MarshallLion’s Club 10K Run.Marshall’s farmers mar-ket, Market on theSquare, will be open from8 a.m. to noon. Craft ven-dors will be open from 9a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visitors will get aglimpse at early 19th cen-tury Saline Countythrough exhibits andcharacters who portraylife on the trail, fur trap-ping, country doctoring, aschool marm and more.

There will be old timegames for kids.

Cargill’s traditionalchuck wagon dinner willbe served from 11 a.m. to1 p.m., with proceedsbenefiting Saline CountyUnited Way. Tickets are$6 in advance, $8 the dayof the event, and $5 forchildren under 12.

There will be four con-tests to give visitors achance to really get intothe 19th century spirit:

– A baby contest forchildren 6 to 23 months;

– A prince andprincesses contest for 2to 5 year olds, who mustdress in a Santa Fe Trailperiod costume to partic-ipate;

– A period dress con-test for men, women andchildren;

– A birthday cakemaking contest to cele-brate Marshall’s 175th

birthday. There are sepa-rate categories for pro-fessionals, adults, teensand children. Cakes canbe traditional or “some-thing specular.” Cupcakescan be entered but theyshould be arranged foreffect. The cakes will beserved all day to the pub-lic free of charge.

Entry forms for thesecontests can be obtainedat The Marshall Democ-rat-News, 121 N.Lafayette Ave.; the Mar-shall Chamber of Com-merce, 214 N. LafayetteAve.; Square Corner, 26 N.Jefferson Ave.; and Patri-cia’s Foods, 925 W. Col-lege St.

Craft vendors wishingto register for a boothshould contact KathyGreen [email protected] more information660-229-4845.

Contributed photo

Preston Tone-pah-hote

Contribute photos

El Grupo Folklorico Atotonilco

Democrat-News file photo

Carlos Olmedo (left) and Wes Craig (right) serves food at the Santa FeTrail Days Chuck Wagon Kickoff Dinner Friday, Sept. 13, 2013.


THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25Education Day

8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Open to the public.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26Parade - 4 p.m.

Line up 3p.m. Corner of Arrow & North StreetsTo enter Parade: Register atMarshall City Offices,214 N. Lafayette, Marshall, MO 65340 660-886-2225THURSDAY • FRIDAY • SATURDAY

SEPTEMBER 25 - 27, 2014Missouri Valley College

Viking Stampede Rodeo - 7 p.m. Nightly.Lower Arena. Concessions by Marshall Kiwanis Club.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27Antique Machinery Show - All day

Biscuit & Gravy Breakfast - 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Multipurpose BuildingAdults $4, Children 8 and under $3

Missouri State Corn Husking CompetitionRegistration 7 a.m. at the field competition begins 8 a.m.

Missouri State Corn Husking Awards Banquet6 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

2014 MISSOURI STATECORN HUSKINGCHAMPIONSHIPS

SEPTEMBER 25 THRU 27All events take place at: Saline County Fairgrounds

Highway 65 • Marshall, Mo.

Santa Fe Trail Day 2014Schedule of Events

Courthouse Lawn

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Craft ShowView exhibits and talk with costume characters: Missouri Trap-

pers 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 DinnerDinner tickets can be purchased at the Marshall Chamber of Com-

merce office

North Street Stage

9 a.m. Baby Contest

10 a.m. Princes and Princesses Contest(2-5 years old)

11 a.m. Preston Tone-pah-hote and Eagle Brotherhood Singers,Drummers and Dancers

12 p.m. Historical Costume Contest

2 p.m. El Grupo Folklorico AtotonilcoMexican Folk Dancers

(Contest applications are available at Marshall Chamber of Com-merce, The Marshall Democrat-News, Square Corner and Patricia’s)


Get your agribusinessdegree at MVC!

Missouri ValleyC O L L E G EContact Dr. Godsey at [email protected] • 660-831-4565

500 E. College • Marshall, MO 65340 • www.moval.edu

Teams

ness on and attachingthem to the wagon.

Walsh said he’ll arrivein Marshall on Wednesday,Sept. 24, to partake inother corn husking activi-ties throughout the week-end, but when asked whyhe still drives horses today,

his answer is simple: “Ienjoy driving horses. It’swork, but it’s still a lot offun too.”

The corn husking com-petition starts at 8 a.m.Saturday, Sept. 27, at thenorth field of the SalineCounty Fairground.

Contact Jesse Brown [email protected]

continued from page 5B


Corn husking is a family tradition. From left,Judy Deal, Chris Deal, Lawrence Deal, Henry Dealand Emma Johnson. Chris receives his score forthe Missouri State Corn Husking Competition Sat-urday, Sept. 28, 2013, which causes his family tocelebrate his achievement at the end of the event.

Results from the 2014 competition will beposted online at www.marshallnews.com

corn husking 2014

Documents

corn husking skill hasbeen

corn huskingcompetitions

comcorn husking

draft horses

aboutdriving horses

driving horses

competition untilhis

requires skill