Screenshot
With Corn Day just a week away, the Carmi Kiwanis crew is putting the final touches on all the events coming your way.
Stars, Stripes, and Stalks Corn Day 2025 will unofficially kick off on Thursday, October 8th, starting with rides from Swyear for all ages at 5 pm, and the Farm to Table event at 6:30pm. Swyear amusement rides will run in four sessions throughout the Corn Day festivities, with two sessions on Saturday (10/10), each costing $30 per armband.
Friday, October 9th, the streets will close at 3 pm to help vendors set up their booths. Rides will be available Friday night starting at 5 pm, and the Main Stage event will be the Corn Day pageant at 5:30 pm, with 50 youngsters competing for Baby, Tiny, Toddler, Little, and Jr. Miss titles. After the pageant, hang back to listen to local Josh Cronin perform.
Also at 5:30 pm, you can head to the First Mid Bank and Trust parking lot to watch multiple teams compete in the Corn Hole tournament. Registration for the Corn Hole tournament is still open; you can contact Edward Jones Financial Advisor Kaylee Adams’ office at 618-382-7032.
Then it’s one of the most popular days in Carmi: Corn Day, October 10th. Many events will happen throughout the day. If you are a morning person, sign up for the Candy Corn 5k Run; it will start at 8:15 am at the First Christian Church. From 9 am until 1 pm, the car show will be underway and will stretch from the First Mid parking lot to as far down Main Street towards Oak, if needed. Kiwanis member Dave Matheny shared updates that local Ben Arnold outdid himself again this year with the trophies, and that there will be a new category for the vehicles, “People’s Choice”, where individuals can purchase one ticket for $1 or seven tickets for $5 and vote for their favorite vehicle.
Then it’s the cutest parade of the day: the Pet Parade will begin at 10 am. After the parade, the Swyear rides will open for their first session of the day, and from 10:30-11 am Rusted Spirit will perform on the Main Stage.
Next up is the Chili Cook-Off from 11 am until noon at Veterans Memorial Park. Kiwanis member Kati Sturgal gave her update and said there are 10 teams signed up, but don’t worry, registration will be open until Friday. You can call Kati at 618-382-8930. While you’re at Veterans Memorial Park to taste all the delicious chili, you can visit the Historical Society museum tours until 2 pm.
At noon, head on over to the Main Stage to watch the crowning of the new Corn Queen and King. 4H Program Coordinator Amy McCarty shared that there will be six queen contestants and two king contestants for this year. You can learn more about each candidate during the Open Line on October 8th by listening at 93.3 FM/AM 1460. New this year, from 2-3 pm on the Main Stage, will be a tribute to the iconic Dolly Parton. Emily Williams and Kelsi Hunsinger will perform.
At 4 pm, the Corn Day parade will begin. Kiwanis members Adam Winkleman and Amanda Nelson reported that seven marching bands have signed up to participate in the parade and that registrations are on track with past float sign-ups. Once the main parade ends, the final session of amusement rides will begin.
Drake White’s highly anticipated performance will begin at 7 pm Saturday night on the Main Stage. Then, to end the night, the 50/50 drawing will be announced around 8 pm, along with the winner of the Car Show.
Vendor chairman Eric Rahlfs shared that 55 food vendors will be available this year.
For more information about the Corn Day festivities, tune in toROY/WRUL News on air, on social media, or at wrul.com. You can also visit the Carmi Kiwanis Club Facebook page.