PINNACLE — After a year off due to construction, Horne Creek Living Historical Farm will once again host its Cornshucking Frolic.

The living history farm will offer a day full of activities revolving around the tradition of a cornshucking frolic. There will be demonstrations, music, dancing and food throughout the day.

“Corn was one of the major crops grown in the northwest Piedmont at the turn of the century,” said Lisa Turney, site manager. “Cornshuckings accomplished a given task and provided an opportunity for rural families to socialize. As shucks and ears of corn were separated, folks shared gossip, began courtships, ate plates of chicken and dumplings and listened to tall tales and fiddle tunes.”

When the harvest was ready, families would invite their neighbors over to help with the harvest. As the men worked in the field to bring in the harvest, the women would prepare a large meal for everyone to enjoy. The work at hand then became a social event.

At the Horne Creek Cornshucking Frolic, corn will abound. People can try their hand at shucking corn or one of the 30 to 40 other demonstrations that will be available to show what farm life was like at the turn of the century.

“There will be about 30 to 40 demonstrations highlighting different heritage activities. We will have a wide variety of events to appeal to everyone,” said Turney. “Our goal here is for people to be educated about a way of life that is rapidly disappearing. We also want them to be entertained. We want them to come out and learn and also have a lot of fun.”

The site is asking for a $3 donation from participants at the event in order to help with the upkeep of the facility. There will also be food available for an additional fee, including chicken stew and pintos and cornbread.

“Museums are increasingly dependent on donations from patrons to continue to operate,” said Turney.

Another plus of this year’s event is that visitors will have the chance to see the new visitors center at the farm. The facility is open even though there has not been a grand opening ceremony yet. Turney said they want to wait until they get the permanent exhibits set up before having a ceremony, something she expects to happen during the summer.

The event will be canceled if there is rain because the majority of activities take place outside. No pets are allowed at the event.

Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.