Iowa and national cornhusking contest participants relive the traditions of the olden days when corn was picked by hand.

A century has passed since the first competitors gathered to hand-harvest corn by the bushel, but the tradition remains strong at the Iowa and National Hand Cornhusking Contest, where every fall the Midwest celebrates this time-honored skill.    

Participants gathered Oct. 19-20 at the Indian Creek Historical Museum near Hastings to celebrate 100 years of hand corn picking, with competitors from approximately 12 states and Canada on hand to battle for the coveted honor of Iowa or national champion.

This was the sixth year that Indian Creek hosted the event, brought to Hastings by organizer Jeff Christiansen following many years in the Amana Colonies and the Elk Horn-Kimballton areas. The Iowa competition rotates locations, while the national competition moves around the Midwest. 

“It’ll be here at Indian Creek Museum until we give it up,” said Christiansen,...