Several events went well at this year’s Corn Day festivities…the big winner however was anyone who got out and enjoyed the perfect weather. After a 2023 event marred by cold and misty conditions, October 11th and 12th this year were perfect providing ideal circumstances for outdoor revelry. The unofficial kick off has always been the Chamber dinner on Monday, but with two off days, things ramped up with a soft open on Thursday this year. The White County Farm to Table went off without a hitch this year after it had to be cancelled in 2023. Swyear Amusements also opened the festival by operating on side streets south of Carmi.
On Friday, twenty teams descended on the First Mid Bank parking lot to battle for supremacy. In 2023, due to weather, the tournament had to seek refuge at the VFW where 3 time champs Steve and Willie Browning took the top honors. This year, under a beautiful sunset and into the twilight, bags soared and pounded down on boards as friends came together with music in the background and the sounds of children enjoying carnival rides. Trevor and Cody Nelson took 3rd place. Matt Burnett and Dan Diesher took 2nd prize and the 2024 Cornhole tournament was won with conviction by State’s Attorney Chris Neal and Bill Jackson.
Just down the street on the Main Stage, 51 youngsters strutted their stuff in the popular Corn Day pageant. Winners this year were:
Baby Miss: Averie Franks
Baby Mister: Logsdon Maricle
Toddler Miss: Wrenlee Leavens
Tiny Miss: Aubree Drone
Little Miss: Madison Wolff
Junior Miss: Gabrielle Mullins
During the pageant, some of the cast of the upcoming Mary Poppins CWCHS Drama production performed.
Meanwhile in Albion, the Carmi-White County Bulldogs football team was formally punching it’s ticket to the postseason by caging the Edwards County Lions in convincing fashion.
Also Friday night, the Carmi League of Arts presented Joyful Noise with many of the area’s talented singers and musicians entertained with a gospel sing.
Saturday, friends and neighbors awoke to more beautiful weather and a day’s worth of activities that would leave many dragging Sunday into Monday. Events kicked off early with the annual Guardian Center sponsored Candy Corn Run. The day began in earnest downtown at 10am with the Pet Parade and registration for the Car Show.
Prettiest Pet was won this year by Fudge the pony courtesy of Maren and Sloane Warren with second place going to Koda and Kallista Jones. Best Decorated Bicycle was won by the Veatch Family with second place awarded to Collin Dartt. Most Unusual Pet was won by Hayden Attebury, Autumn Craddock, and August Craddock. Second place was taken by Evie Arnold and her pet Nugget. The Best TV/Movie Character costume winners were the Mitchells dressed as the Mario Brothers incorporating pets Bow and Tie. Second went to Oren Williams dressed as a Transformer with his pet Oliver. The Overall Best Float award was won by Hadley Williams, Holly Hays, Mati Orr, and Lauren Hays in a Taylor Swift themed float. A dirtbike theme took second with an 80’s theme taking third.
Over at the car show, Best of Show went to Dan and Lynn DeKemper from Henderson, Kentucky with their 1968 Chevy Camaro. Mayor’s Choice went to Kelly Melton of Harrisburg with a 1968 Pontiac Firebird 400. Kiwanis Choice went to another Camaro, this one of the 1969 variety…a Z 28 brought by Barry Richmond of Corydon, Kentucky. Locals weren’t completely shut out as John Fields of Carmi won the 1959 and older division with his 1957 T-Bird. Bart Henson’s 1969 Chevy Camaro traveled from Norris City and took top honors in the 1960 decade class. The 1970 – 1989 division was won by Brent Korff of Evansville with his 1972 Oldsmobile Hurst. Dave Kemp’s 2008 Ford Mustang took the trophy for 1990 – 2010 models. Jeff and Debbie Johnson’s 2018 Grand Sport Corvette won and they traveled all the way from Ferdinand, Indiana to be here. From Darmstadt, John and Patty Weis’ 1972 Chevy C 10 took the top prize for Trucks/Jeeps. The best motorcycle came from Grayville. It was a ’95 Ultra Classic Harley Davidson and is owned by Kranko.
The fun continued at 11am with events on the Main Stage and at Veterans Memorial Park. The Pets at Risk Corn Dog PAWgeant, now in it’s second year, rolled out the red carpet for pooches to show off. Eleven winners took home trophies from Best Dressed to Best Bark, Best Trick, Best Rescue, and more.
At the park, chili masters were cooking up success. Judges Honor went to Tammy Smith. 3rd place went to some Ghostly Good Chili presented by Megan Beck. The Twisted Sisters team made up of Aja Sexton, Abbey Johnson, and Stephanie Martin won multiple awards including Taster’s Choice, Most Team Spirit, and 2nd place in Judge’s Honor.
At noon, Carmi Corn Day got new royalty as Annsley Healy and Aidan Jordan turned over crowns to Katelyn Davis and Eli Bryant.
Youngsters then descended on Main and Walnut to swap friendship bracelets, don heart sunglasses and belt out their favorite songs during a Swiftie Experience. Kelsi Hunsinger played the part and carried the crowd through Swift’s eras.
At 4pm, the community lined the streets for the big Corn Day parade and then The Brat Pack entertained into the night.
