Cornhole may be new to many folks, but it is gaining in popularity of late. For some reason if there is a gathering of people, such as a family reunion, church picnic, backyard barbeque, town carnival, or holiday celebration, cornhole also shows up. There are cornhole clubs, state and national cornhole associations, and a huge bunch of cornhole enthusiasts that keeps growing all the time.
So, what is cornhole and why do peeps like it so much?
Cornhole is a game played with dried corn-filled cotton sacs and raised wooden boxes that have a hole in them. Some say it had its origin in Germany, but it seems to have come alive again in the American South. It is kind of like horseshoes, but without the shoes and the stakes. The idea of the game is uncomplicated. You set up the cornhole boxes about 30 feet apart with single or double teams standing beside each box. The teams take turns tossing the corn-filled bags at the boxes at the opposite end of the playing field and try to get them in the hole. Scoring is accrued when the bag hits the box or goes in the hole.
Sounds pretty simple, right? It can be, but don’t get the wrong impression. Some corn tossing folks take their cornhole very seriously. There are strict regulations and rules when you enter the realm of competitive cornhole. Some people have simple homemade bags and boxes, while others customize their boxes with their company logo or the mascot of their favorite sports team. You can purchase special scoreboards and nifty drink holders. The holders come in very handy, as you just know you are going to get thirsty in the heat of cornhole competition and won’t want to break your stride to go get a cold one.
What makes cornhole so attractive is that you can play it pretty much anywhere you have a flat surface, it is safe and fun for all skill levels and ages of folks, and it can be relatively inexpensive.
Are you now thinking about where you can play some cornhole locally? Get this! A cornhole tournament will be held during the Bridge Day Chili Cook-off in Fayetteville on October 15, 2011. This particular event will be conducted by the Mountain State Cornhole Association. Everyone is welcome to watch, learn, and/or compete as an amateur and pro. You still have plenty of time to practice up before the Fayetteville Tournament.
<Shout it all together now, in your best, deep, sports announcer voice.>
LET’S GET READY TO CORNNNNNNNN-HOOOOOOOOOOOOLE!