Carmi Kiwanis Expresses Thanks Prior to Getting Shuck Wild for 2024 Corn Day

Corn Day doesn’t happen without thousands of hours of labor, planning, and dollars.  While much of that time goes unnoticed and largely without thanks by those of us who enjoy any small or large part of the festival, Kiwanis does it’s best the Thursday before Corn Day to spread it’s appreciation by recognizing the sponsors who are so giving of their time and money to make sure each year Carmi is represented in the best way possible.

From a financial standpoint, Nancy J Winter and her staff operate as the headquarters for fundraising.  She and her committee spend some of those countless and thankless hours beginning in August each year rounding up monetary support for the annual homecoming.  Thursday, fundraising committee members worked through the 100 sponsors offering recognition for their willingness to fund the events and entertainment to come.  First though, Winter offered a general acknowledgement of support.

I’m so proud to be from Carmi and Corn Day is one of the best festivals around and you all put in so much work for it.  I’m so grateful.  It’s a time for reunions, new friends, and a great time to enjoy small town life.  All you fellow Kiwanians who do so much prep work, board members who work so hard to get everything done, we just thank you for all that effort.  People don’t realize how much organization it takes to get everything lined up; vendors, entertainment, contests, parades, the car show, chili cook off, and all the games for adults and kids alike.  Nor do people see how much the City of Carmi and its employees put in to make everything run smoothly, safely, and cleaning up afterwards.  Also, the efforts of the entire community joining in on these events to make sure it’s fun for all.  So thank you.

Winter also singled out a few of those behind-the-scenes folks who do work that people in general, even fellow Kiwanians don’t realize because the item just shows up or the project just gets done with little or no fanfare.  Among those, she included Dan Drone and Rod Matsel, current Kiwanis President Kelly Northcott, and her employee Emma Bachman who she says probably knows more about Corn Day sponsors than she does.

The fundraising committee is made up of Winter herself, Dr. Clint Taylor, Katelyne Wolff, Meagan Drone, and Northcott.  The committee was able to secure donations amounting to $64,950 in total from 100 different business and organizations.  A photo with representatives from those donors was taken at the conclusion of the meeting.

Carmi Corn Day festivities kick off Thursday night with the carnival and the Farm to Table event.  Friday, the pageant is at 5:30 on the Main Stage and Corn Hole bags also start flying at 5:30pm from the First Mid Bank parking lot.  At 7:30pm, Joyful Noise brought to you by the Carmi League of Arts takes the main stage.  Meanwhile, in Edwards County, the Bulldogs will take on the Lions.  Listen in on 97.3 WRUL or on wrul.com.  Saturday is chock full of activities.  Get the full schedule on the Carmi Kiwanis Club facebook page.