Crossing the border into Iowa, my navigator/history buff, Bernadette, began to regale me with several interesting facts about our next destination. I learned that its state capital, Des Moines, is by all accounts a beautiful city with the most architecturally stunning state capital building you will ever see. In fact, its shiny gold dome sets it apart as one of the most stunning state buildings in America. (With apologies to all other state capitals in America.)
Des Moines is also a haven for insurance companies. Like, lots of insurance companies. For some, like those of you who sell insurance for a living, that sounds really cool. But, it’s important to keep in mind that Des Moines is more than insurance. It’s also a haven for amazing restaurants, scenic walkways and historic buildings. Des Moines, like the entire state of Iowa, is an understated gem where its people are rightfully proud of their history, culture and community spirit.
This regaling was all fascinating stuff, but then Bernadette said the words that really made me perk up – “Corn Hole!”. Those words are music to my ears. Now, anyone who has ever been feted at a barbeque at our home, are aware that I am am widely considered a backyard corn hole master. On countless occasions, my steely-nerved cornhole tosses have generated full-throated cheers from all in attendance. Even when I miss. Which seems to be on most shots.
So, you can understand how thrilled I was to discover that Iowa is the home to the American Corn Hole National Championships. Each year in August, over a three day period full of fun, tail gating parties and music, the American Corn Hole festival takes place in a field that baseball lovers, movie buffs, and people who like to eat corn will well remember. I’m talking about the farm where a baseball diamond was carved out of a corn field in Dyersville, Iowa, the location for the iconic movie, Field Of Dreams.
Now, instead of seeing ghosts of Kevin Cosner or baseball players past, the Dyersville field hosts some of the most skilled corn hole players from across the country and beyond. You can just imagine a legion of hulking corn hole players stepping out from the surrounding corn stalks, ready to toss bean bags. That would be awesome.
The web site for this championship is worth reading. It includes a lot of fascinating information on corn hole including a list of rules for backyard corn hole players like me. Who knew there were rules? I also found it surprising that corn hole is described as a sport. While I can understand the high level of athleticism involved, I also appreciate that there is much room for debate on this subject. To me, playing corn hole is more about laughing with a bunch of family and friends, teasing each other on missed shots, eating burgers and hot dogs, and perhaps enjoying the occasional adult beverage.
In many ways, you have to be in Olympian shape to survive an evening of backyard corn hole at my house. And when I think of those short and tall athletes I typically play with, it’s obviously a sport.