FAIRMONT — With effort from the local community, King Korn Day is back for its second year. The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 13.

The event aims to be a more compact, fun-sized version of the larger, historical, King Korn Days, a staple of Fairmont culture in the 1950s, 1960s and briefly in the 1980s. Activities included various forms of entertainment that gathered more than 10,000 people, putting light on local farmers and their work during the harvest.

This year, the event is being tag-teamed by Imagine Martin and Silo’67.

“We’re bringing back a strong community tradition,” said Silo’67 Owner Ryan Hauschild. “It’s a fun-sized take on the King Korn Days festival, which was a really big deal.”

“Currently, we’re planting the seed of where we go in the future with a festival that brings in people,” said Imagine Martin Chairman Jeff Rouse. “At Imagine Martin, this festival is right up our alley. Our motto is, ‘Inspired to Create’. It’s all about people being creative. It’s a day for everyone.”

This year, King Korn Day will open with Pig Alley by Day on 3rd Street off Downtown Plaza, with children’s activities from 10 a.m. to noon, including haystack quarter hunt, pig clip art station, rock painting, seed art, Barnyard Buddies, tunes by Lee Kanten, spin-to-win wheel, photo booth and treats and beverages.

“Jeff Rouse of Imagine Martin partnered with us for many free kids’ activities. He did a really good job, and I’m really excited,” Hauschild said.

Project 1590’s Kids Just Wanna Have Funis also looking forward to King Korn Day, rolling out its new rock painting opportunity for the children. The group is dedicated to enrichment and involvement of kids, and board member Kristy Olson is pleased to have the organization in collaboration with this event.

“This is the first time [Kids Just Wanna Have Fun] has been a part of this,” Olson explained. “The rock-painting activity is easy and fun for the kids.”

After painting the rocks, children may keep them or hide them in Fairmont for others to find. Olson additionally encourages the community to paint and hide rocks on their own time, inspiring deep exploration of the city.

“It’ll be fun. We’re mainly focusing on bringing and giving kids something to do and look forward to,” Olson added.

In the afternoon there will also be a performance by Comedy Variety Entertainer Brad Weston at noon.

The event will transition to the Barn Bash by Night and activities include a bag tournament at 2 p.m., square dancing with the Lake Promenaders at 3 p.m., salsa and meringue dancing at 5 p.m., indoor dance party with Tracy and Liz, beer garden, corn on the cob, which will support the Fairmont Opera House, and additional drink specials by Silo’67 beginning at 9 p.m.

Hauschild enthused that some of the oldest generations in Fairmont remember the original King Korn Days, and will be able to revisit a former, nostalgic tradition. Additionally, Hauschild explained his value for inclusivity of everyone, and is elated to present the salsa and meringue dances and more to the Latinx and Hispanic communities in Fairmont. Overall, Hauschild hopes to make sure every individual attending finds an avenue of entertainment at King Korn Day.

“Fairmont is my home, I’m so happy to invest in the community with what I can right now. It’s going to be my home for the next 30 years. I have a long way to go, and this is how I can give back,” Hauschild said.

He shared that he would like to see King Korn Day expand tremendously. He stated that he has many plans that he hopes will come to fruition in forthcoming years.

“It’s the beginning of something great. I would like to grow this in the future. My biggest aspiration is families and friends enjoying the activities,” he said.

“This can grow into a large, annual event. I have no doubt,” Rouse commented. “People are already offering ideas. We’re all excited. What it’s like this year, what it becomes next year…It can grow as fast as the community wants.”