By Mary Owen
This year’s Aumsville Corn Festival will “Knock Your Stalks Off!”
“Each year gets larger and larger,” said Mayor Harold White of the festival that usually draws about 10,000 to the city.
Aumsville residents are gearing up for the annual event, which will be broadcast live this year by a local radio station, Corn Festival chair Deb Baugh said.
“Favorite activities include the corn-eating contest and finding new vendors that have not been to the Corn Festival before,” Baugh said.
The Aumsville Corn Festival is a one-day fun-for-all on Aug. 25 at Porter-Boone Park. The event offers a parade, food, vendors, games, and music as well as free corn on the cob for everyone.
“And a coloring contest for Aumsville kids, who will have their drawings posted in businesses throughout the town,” Baugh said.
Proceeds from the festival funds programs such as the Police Toy Drive and provides donations to the local fire department and Bethel Baptist food bank, Baugh explained, all good reasons to come to the festival.
“The Cascade cheerleaders are in charge of parking, and all funds received are kept by them to purchase uniforms and pay for other expenses for cheerleading activities,” she added.
Kicking off the day’s festivities is the Aumsville Corn Festival Parade, “Let’s Parade!” Registration begins at 8 a.m. in the parking lot at Bethel Baptist Church, Sixth and Cleveland streets, with judging at 9:30 a.m. and the parade start at 11 a.m.
Councilor Gary Dahl will be working on staging the parade and plans to shuck and/or cook corn after it’s over.
“It’s a great family event,” Dahl said of the parade and the festival. “And free corn is a great price!”
In the parade, Dahl said judges will look for decorations, cleanliness and neatness of the entrants, their accessories and/or livestock as it applies to the theme.
Matching or coordinating outfits in group categories or floats and the use of the theme generally will be taken into account. Judges will also look for the effort displayed in the preparation of costumes and accessories.
“We especially look forward to children and youth participating,” said Colleen Rogers, city clerk.
In addition to a first place trophy, second and third place ribbons in each category will be awarded as well as a Grand Theme, Mayor’s Award, Judges’ Choice, and Novel/Most Humorous awards.
Categories include: individual, including commercial; non-float and motorized scooters; bicycles, non-motorized and includes scooters; kids/pets, non-float; groups/clubs, non-float; non-commercial floats, includes political; commercial floats; horse rider, individual; horse groups; animal-drawn carts/wagons; antique cars, ’39 and older; best of cars/trucks, ’40 and newer; and car clubs.
Registration forms are available online at aumsville.us.
Craft vendors will offer lots to look at and buy, and festival goers can enjoy live music by Jim Pfau, Judy Carter and other musicians as they wander through the booths. Food will also be available for purchase.
“We’ll be drawing prizes throughout the day,” Baugh added. “Many, many great prizes for all ages!”
Also coming up is the Aumsville Craft Fair and Farmer’s Market at 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Tower Park.Vendors are wanted for both the Corn Festival and the Craft Fair, and can sign up at the city hall. For more information on either event, call the Aumsville City Hall at 503-749-2030.
