(Macomb, IL) Unforgettable Forgottonia will not only host the 2022 Illinois State Cornhusking Contest but also
this year’s National Cornhusking Competition on Saturday and Sunday Oct. 15 & 16. This is BIG deal, folks. To
put in perspective the Cornhusking Nationals is celebrating its Centennial with the culmination of nine state
cornhusking champions coming to McDonough County from Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota,
Nebraska, Ohio and South Dakota, along with other competitors from across the country to compete on Sunday,
October 16 to see who becomes the Nation’s top husker. The event, held rain or shine at the Lewis Farm just
outside of Macomb will also feature antique farm equipment displays, kids’ activities, the Corn Items Collectors
displays and great food and fun for the entire family. With all that in store the event promises fun and opportunity for
spectators, visitors and contestants from throughout the U.S.
The first organized cornhusking contest was originated one hundred years ago in 1922 by Henry A. Wallace, the
Iowa editor of Wallace’s Farmer magazine, as a way to decide the area’s best corn husker. Today’s contests hold
true to that tradition, displaying the practice of picking corn by hand as it was done for centuries prior to the invention
of modern mechanical pickers. The contest has not only become a sport, but an art form. “You’ll be surprised just
how fast and accurate a top picker can be.” Says Unforgettable Forgottonia’s own multi National Campion and
Huskers Hall of Famer Frank Hennenfent. “A champion competitor can husk, glean and wagon 40 ears of corn a
minute.” Hennenfent will be competing again this year and is available for press and broadcast interviews in the
weeks leading up to the contests.
Competition will be divided into 12 classes for men and women, beginning with girls and boys age 14 and younger,
up to classes for men and women age 75 and older. Youngsters and seniors pick for 10 minutes; the Men’s Open
Class lasts for 30 minutes. All other competitors pick for 20 minutes. A gleaner follows each competitor to retrieve
missed ears and husks; their weight is deducted from the husker’s total. Top three contestants in each class qualify
for Sunday’s national contest. Novice and Pee Wee Class competitions will also be offered so everyone will have
the opportunity to try picking corn by hand. Information will be available the day of contest on times.
Both days of contests will be held at the Lewis Farm, 14241 N. 1800 Rd. in Good Hope, IL. Illinois state membership
is required to pick in classes to qualify for the national cornhusking contest. Fees are $3 for youth and $15 for all
adult classes. There is no charge for spectators. Saturday’s top three Illinois state contestants in each class qualify
for Sunday’s National contest. Registration at 8 am with contests starting at 9 am.