It is that time of year again. Jewell Corn Show Time! This is the Sesquicentennial-COVID 19 issue of Jewell’s yearly event. The theme is “Jewell – We’ve Got A Story To Tell!” Remember -#JoinUsInJewell.

Some things about the Corn Show are the same and some things are a bit different. The Corn Show actually starts on Monday, with something old and something new.

The “old” is the A“Maize”ing Corn Race and the “new” is the Roaming Buffalo. Both are a race to find something hidden (corn or buffalo) by following the clues posted on the Jewell Chamber of Commerce Facebook page and the Jewell City clerk’s office door. Clues are posted at 4 p.m. daily.

Prizes are awarded for both events. The Jewell Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the A”Maize”ing Corn Race and the Jewell Guaranty State Bank is sponsoring the Roaming Buffalo.

Moving on through the week, get ready to put up the Corn Show booths and exhibits on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning at the Jewell Community Center. This needs to be done by 11 a.m. on Thursday. View and enjoy the exhibits and booths from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. that afternoon and evening.

Friday has more opportunities for fun. If you didn’t get to the Community Center on Thursday, stop by anytime from 2 to 6 p.m. on Friday. Jewell Sesquicentennial items will be for sale at the Jewell Garden Club Booth anytime the exhibits are open. Items include T-shirts, coffee mugs, travel mugs and car tags.

Also Friday, get your ATVs, golf carts and lawn mowers out and enter the “Pair-A-Dice” Run. This event will start at Lake Emerson at 6 p.m. Prizes will be awarded. There is an entry fee.

Remember Bourbon’s Bierocks “Grab-N-Go” supper Friday at the old high school. To keep us spread out and healthy, literally we will grab bierocks, cheeseburgers or hot ham and cheese then go. Stop by for supper from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Saturday is a busy day! The fun starts at 8 a.m. in front of the Guaranty State Bank. The triathlon of previous years will be the “5K Corn Show Stampede.” Come to run, walk or ride your bike.

The exhibits will be open at the Jewell Community Center and Sesquicentennial items available from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. From 8 a.m. to noon the Jewell County Health Department will have flu shots available – just bring your Medicare or insurance card. At 2:30 p.m. the exhibits and displays need to come down to get ready for the “Jewell-We’ve Got A Story To Tell” Sesquicentennial program at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. that evening.

Several vendors will be set up around the downtown and Maag Park. Find them anytime from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Also, during that time, view the 7th Annual “Show Off Your Wheels” Car-Antique Farm Machinery-Motorcycle Show. This year see the show on the west side of Maag Park.

Something new this year will be the dedication of the Sesquicentennial Buffalo in Maag Park at 10 a.m. right before the Corn Show Parade. Jewell has a Buffalo Street, is in the Buffalo Valley and Buffalo Township plus there is Buffalo Creek flowing nearby. The buffalo is an appropriate symbol for the community, which was described as “the best in the bully west and the heart of the Buffalo Valley.” The buffalo standing near the entrance of Maag Park will represent all four during the dedication ceremony. The four buffalo are funded by a Dane G. Hansen grant.

The Corn Show Parade is at 10:30 a.m. Spread out down the street and enjoy the floats, cars and entries. The Grand marshals for this year’s parade honor the impact of women on the history of Jewell. Lydia Jane Matter Cameron will be portrayed by Pat Oplinger Zentz. Portraying Sarah Ann McCready “Aunt Sally” Thackston will be Cynthia Traump. Marsha Willmeth Bartsch will play the part of Callie Debus Spielman and Debbie LaCoe Abram takes on the role of Anna Billings.

Right after the parade, the free-will donation BBQ meal will be available at the Jewell Fire Station. Eat in the park or somewhere of your choice.

There is more to do at noon than eat. There will be 14 different games for children in Maag Park from noon till 2:30 p.m. On the north side of Maag Park, you will find something brand new for the 2020 Corn Show. Starting at noon, you can be part of the First Jewell Corn Show Corn Hole Tournament. Two member teams will compete for prizes. There is an entry fee.

Then at 3 p.m. is the Road Rally. Pay your entry at the start which this year is in front of the Rooster Palace. Enjoy the competition before viewing one of the two showings of “Jewell-We’ve Got A Story To Tell” Sesquicentennial Corn Show program. The program will be shown at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Jewell Community Center.

Between the two shows, there is another “something new” for the Corn Show. At 6:45 p.m., three items will be auctioned in honor of Jewell’s 150th birthday. A clock made by Harold Topliff and donated by Harold and Patsy Topliff will be the first item auctioned by auctioneer, Mark Baxa. The second is a painting by the late Bertha Knarr of the limestone house which stood for decades south of Jewell. This painting is donated by the Kenneth and Rosa Wheat family.

The third and final item was created especially for the Jewell Sesquicentennial by local artist, Jim Nelson. Nelson’s oil painting, entitled “Fort Jewell and Billy Street,” is 35” by 45”. It impressionistically depicts Fort Jewell with Billy Street riding across the prairie in front of the fort. All three items are on display at the Guaranty State Bank in Jewell.

You are not done enjoying the Corn Show! The Jewell Mercantile is sponsoring a Street Dance with the DJ Bridwell Band. It begins at 9 p.m. near the Merc.

The final event is Sunday’s brunch-lunch at the Jewell Community Center from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Come anytime for sausage gravy with biscuits and pie. Free-will donation.

There you have it – something for everyone! So, everyone come and #JoinUsInJewell!!