By Frank J. Buchman
Old-timers claim corn in the Kaw Valley is taller than they’ve ever seen.
With all of the rain, seed corn variety improvements, fertilization and modern farming techniques, that’s likely correct.
Truth will be told when the tape measures come out for the “see how tall it really is” competition featured for the 87th Rossville Tall Corn Festival, Friday through Sunday, Aug. 12-13-14, at Rossville, heart of the Kaw Valley.
“Corn is the crop of the valley and farmers herein. It’s always exciting to see who has the tallest stalk, with measuring set for Friday evening, the 12th,” said Jessica Aubert, president of the Rossville Community Development Committee, hosts for the big affair.
But, there is a whole slate of festivities planned, with this year’s appropriate theme, “Corn Roots, This Is My Hometown,” she quickly added
“The Tall Corn Festival has been the second weekend of August since 1929, to recognize the hard work of the community during harvest,’’ Aubert related.
“Today, the three-day event has something for everyone in the family, and we sure want to welcome them to this big celebration in America’s heartland,” she invited.
Noteworthy is that the Rossville Community Development Committee is a volunteer organization working to help improve the overall quality of life in Rossville, with organization of the annual Tall Corn Festival just one of a handful of main projects.
Arts and crafts booths will be in the City Park beginning at 5 o’clock, on Friday, through 5 o’clock Saturday afternoon, the 13th.
Bounces houses, pony rides, laser tag, a performance by the Rossville High School Band, free hot dogs, and several other food choices are planned Friday evening.
Grandstand activities, of course, feature the tall corn contest, corn eating and seed spitting competitions, Friday, beginning at 6 o’clock, .
A talent show will be included, with the climax being a slide show of “memories of growing up in Rossville and Tall Corn Festivals of the past,” Aubert said.
There’ll be a 24-hour slow pitch tournament underway Friday evening, and a junior high dance is also scheduled.
An ice cream social, sponsored by the Rossville Development Committee, begins at 9 o’clock, Friday, with a free fireworks show as a new attraction at 9:30.
“Please bring your lawn chairs or blankets to the large grassy area of the park for this 20-minute show,” Aubert invited.
There’ll be a Tall Corn Pancakes Breakfast Saturday, Aug. 13, and the 5K run and mile fun run starts at 7:30. A four-on-four sand volleyball tournament begins at 8 o’clock
The traditional kid’s parade will be at 9:45, and the Main Street Parade, with entries welcome from all around, begins at 10 o’clock.
Food Truck Festival is planned all day, Saturday, in the park, with live music featuring Savannah Chestnut from 11 o’clock, to 1 o’clock.
Additional mid-day Saturday features are a pallet auction at 11:30, the first annual Tall Corn Invitational Tennis Doubles Tournament, a beer garden, carnival, mini train rides and games in the park.
Craft booths, bounce houses, laser tag and pony rides will continue.
Also planned is the St. Stanislaus Picnic 2016, at Dekat Hall, from 3 o’clock, to 6:30, with a silent auction, bingo, and supper.
Special attraction Saturday evening will be The Dance In The Park. Beer garden opens at 6 o’clock, with Stewart Ray coming on stage at 8 o’clock.
The Jared Daniels Band is to entertain from 10 o’clock, until midnight. Free “safe rides home” are to be provided within a radius of 10 miles.
Community worship is Sunday morning, 8 o’clock, at Joe Campbell Memorial stadium. A Paint Therapy program begins at 11 o’clock, in the City Pool Party Room.
Registration for the traditional garden tractor pull is at 11 o’clock, with competition beginning at noon, this year featuring the Kansas State University Engineering Sled.
Afternoon features, as well, are a horseshoe tournament, Knocker Ball, and a Splash Bash at the pool.
Additional members of the Rossville Community Development Committee are Morgan Hansen, Shari Gentry, Amanda Clayton, Casey Graves, Sonia Dick, Charlotte Brunin, Kimber Mitchell, Rachel Meyer, David Allacher, Kelli Kenney, Mindy Fiedler and Tina Dick.
Complete details are at www.rossvillekansas.us, and Facebook.
