OXFORD — If it is Thursday night at Oxford’s Station House Community Center, there is a good time going on. Just over a year ago locals began gathering there to play cornhole each week. Labeled as a “tournament,” in reality the only stakes involved are to socialize and have a good time.
Players line up to make their tosses during a cornhole tournament Oxford’s Station House Community Center. The tournament runs from October into May and all are invited to participate. Nicole Carter
“I approached Oxford Rec last year hoping to get something started,” explained organizer Mark McKay of Otisfield, over the slaps of stuffed bags against cornhole boards as the tournament got underway on Dec. 1. “We started that October and played all the way through winter. Every Thursday night, unless there is a storm or holiday, we play.”
Cornhole has become an extremely popular backyard game in recent years, but the concept dates back to 1883 in Heyliger de Windt’s patent application, where he described it as “Parlor Quoits.”
By 1974 the game was referred to as “Bean-bag Bull’s-eye in an article published by Popular Mechanics.
In its current form and rules, 1980s Cincinatti, Ohio is credited as the location where cornhole took root and spread regionally and then nationally. There are two established cornhole groups, The American Cornhole Organization founded in 2005 and the American Cornhole League founded in 2022 that helped to raise awareness and popularize the game as a sport.
McKay became an avid player about four years ago.
“Most of the people here play through the summer,” he said. “A lot of us camp together and play. That’s what we do in the summer. Here, it’s not something people have to sign up for, it’s not like a public league.
“The first few weeks when we started, we’d have maybe five come. Then there were eight and then 12. And then, word-of-mouth, people began talking about it and sometimes there are 20.”
The cost to play at Oxford’s community center is $5 a week, which goes towards the evening’s rental fee. The play is for fun only: no money or prizes are awarded.
“We help each other out,” McKay said. “Last winter, we had one woman join us who was 80 and I’m bummed she hasn’t joined us this year. First night, she couldn’t hit that board if she had to. But week after week, she’d have a great time. And she’d get a little bit better each time. It was so fun to see her progress.”
On Dec. 1 there were about 16 players at the rec center, with four cornhole courts set up. McKay said. More than half were weekly regulars, and some could be called rookies.
Dave Dougherty of Windham takes a break from cornhole action at the Oxford Station House Community Center. Nicole Carter / Advertiser Democrat
McKay’s brother Kevin from Raymond was playing in Oxford’s cornhole tournament for just the second time. His friend Dave Dougherty of Windham was there for the first time. They were impressed by the level of play.
“I play in the summertime sometimes,” Dougherty said. “These guys here, they’re just making every shot.”
The players bring their own courts and bags each week but anyone looking for winter recreation is invited to come join the group.
“What this is about, is for anyone who loves to play cornhole to have something to do in the wintertime,” McKay said..
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