The World Duck Calling Championships at Stuttgart, Kansas, is held annually over Thanksgiving week and welcomes over 60,000 people. The oldest event of its kind in the state, the prize package on offer is worth more than US$15,000.
World Champion Duck Caller Ryan Nolan - Ryan Nolan of Roland, Oklahoma, won the 73rd annual World's Championship Duck Calling Contest in 2008 in Stuttgart, Arkansas.
Long Tradition of Duck Calling
The first National Duck Calling Contest was held on Main Street in Stuttgart, Arkansas, on November 24, 1936, in connection with the annual Arkansas Rice Carnival. It was sponsored by American Legion Post No. 48. The first contest was a far cry from the present day event, but it was the beginning of the now worldwide contest, which attracts thousands of sportsmen annually from all over the United States.
The contest was originated by Thad McCollum of Stuttgart. Dr. H.V. Glenn sold the idea of sponsoring the contest to the American Legion. The American Legion then appointed a Duck Calling Committee of three men: Dr. Glenn, chairman; Mr. McCollum and Arthur Shoemaker, to stage the event. Later, Verne Tindall of Stuttgart, replaced Mr. Shoemaker as a committee member, and the contest was held.
Total list of entries for the first duck calling contest was 17. Financial arrangements were such that not a large prize was offered. The winner was Thomas E. Walsh of Greenville, Miss. He won the contest without the use of a duck call.
Mr. Walsh, who raised ducks as a hobby at his home in Mississippi, produced the sounds in his throat. He walked off with a hunting coat valued at $6.60, purchased by the American Legion from John Oberly Clothing Store. First prize in 1947 was $1,000 cash. Today's winner receives a prize package worth more than $15,000.
The only other contestant to win first prize without use of a duck call was Herman Callouet of Greenville, Miss., who won the event in 1942. The only woman to ever win the contest was Pat Peacock of Stuttgart, Ark., in 1955 and 1956.
The tradition continues in 2009 with the 74th annual World's Championship Duck Calling Contest and Wings Over The Prairie Festival during Thanksgiving Week, Nov. 21-28, 2009.
National sponsors of this year's World's Championship Duck Calling Contest & Wings Over The Prairie Festival include: Winchester Ammunition, Mack's Prairie Wings, Sonic Drive-In, and Lennox Industries. Other corporate sponsors include: Bud Light and Ludwig Distributing Company, Riceland Foods, CenturyTel, Wal-Mart, Dodge, Baptist Health, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Scott Manufacturing, War Eagle Boats, Suddenlink Communications, Kodiak Smokeless Tobacco, Isle of Capri Casino & Hotel, and Mossy Oak Camo.
Schedule of Events
Nov 25, 2009 (Wednesday)
3:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.- Carnival & Midway
Armband Day, Sponsored by Scott Manufacturing on Main Street
6:00 p.m. - YOUTH DUCK CALLING CONTEST
Sponsored by Farmers & Merchants Bank. Featuring Butch Richenback
Stuttgart Stage on Main Street
(This contest is only for children that attended the classes conducted by Butch Richenback)
Nov 26, 2009 (Thursday)
1:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.- Carnival & Midway, Sponsored by Scott Manufacturing
Nov 27, 2009 (Friday)
8:00 a.m. - Registration Opens for all contests
10:00 a.m. - Carnival & Midway
Sponsored by Scott Manufacturing
10:00 a.m. - CHILDREN'S DUCK CALLING CLASS
Sponsored by Riceland Foods - Children 4-8
Meet at Chamber office - Bring your own duck call.
10:00 a.m. - Arts & Crafts Fair, Sponsored by CenturyLink
Closes at 8:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m. - Commercial Exhibits, Sponsored by Riceland Foods
Closes at 8:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m. - Sporting Collectibles Show, Sponsored by Walmart
Closes at 8:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m. - Off Road Village
Closes at 8:00 p.m.
11:00 a.m. - Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest. Open to any high school senior in the United States
1:00 p.m. - Junior Women's World's Championship Duck Calling Contest
Main Street Stage
2:00 p.m. - Intermediate World's Championship Duck Calling Contest
Main Street Stage
3:30 p.m. - Last Chance Regional Duck Calling Contest
Main Street Stage
8:00 p.m. - SPORTSMAN'S PARTY
Events Etc. West Washington Street Extended
Featuring: Tragikly White band performing
Nov 28, 2009 (Saturday)
8:00 a.m. - GREAT 10K DUCK RACE. Sponsored by Baptist Health Medical Center-Stuttgart
Race begins at 7th and Main
8:00 a.m. - Registration Opens. World's Contest, Women's World, and Junior World's
9:00 a.m. - Carnival and Midway, Sponsored by Scott Manufacturing
Closes at 10:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. - Arts & Crafts Fair, Sponsored by CenturyLink
Closes at 8:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. - Commerical Exhibits, Sponsored by Riceland Foods
Closes at 8:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. - Sporting Collectibles Show, Sponsored by Walmart
Closes at 8:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. - Off-Road Village
Closes at 8:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m. - Junior World's Championship Duck Calling Contest
Main Street Stage
11:00 a.m.- Senior World's Championship Duck Calling Contest
Main Street Stage
11:00 a.m. - 29th annual WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DUCK GUMBO COOK-OFF. Sponsored by Bud Light and Ludwig Distributing Company
Location: Producers Rice Mill parking lot on Park Avenue
MUST BE 21 YEARS OLD
1:00 p.m. - Women's World's Chamionship Duck Calling Contest
Main Street Stage
2:00 p.m. - 74th annual WORLD'S CHAMPIONSHIP DUCK CALLING CONTEST. Sponored by Mack's Prairie Wings, Winchester Ammunition, Lennox Industries and SONIC Drive-In
Main Street Stage
The thing you will quickly realise is that duck calling in Stuttgart, Kansas, despite its murky and frankly amusing connotations, is a serious business. The judges at the World Duck Calling Championship are particularly strict on adherence to the rules and undercover judges patrol the state competitions to ensure these standards are being met. Each contestant must perform a hail call, mating call, feed call and a comeback call within 90 seconds.
Event dates & Venue
-------------------------------------
25 - 28 Nov 2009 (annual)
cost: Free to watch
time: 4.30pm
Name: Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce
Email: chamber@stuttgartarkansas.com
Phone: +1 870 673 1602
Address: 507 S Main St, Stuttgart, Arkansas 72160, USA
Town Information: Stuttgart
Full Name: Stuttgart, USA
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