By Mary Owen
This year’s Aumsville Corn Festival theme is “Corn is Music to our EARS!” and that’s what organizers intend to provide at the 47th annual event on Aug. 29.
“Popular as always is the free, hot-buttered corn – two ears per person,” said Sonny Newson, president of the Aumsville Corn Festival.
About 2,500 to 3,000 visitors are expected to turn out for this year’s Corn Festival and parade at Porter-Boone Park.
Starting the day is the annual Aumsville Volunteer Firefighters Community Breakfast of ham, eggs, pancakes, coffee, juice and milk. Minimum donations for the breakfast, held at the Aumsville Fire Station from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., are: free, 5 and under; $5, children 6-12; $6 for ages 13 and older; and $5 for seniors 60 and older. Money raised benefits the volunteer firefighters’ program.
The grand marshal for this year’s Corn Festival parade is Ted Shepard, whose family settled in Aumsville in August 1968, when the population was 495 in the tiny town that boasted four gas stations but only two stores.
Shepard began working for the U.S. Postal Service in 1973, and admits to being “only bit by a dog once in my 27 years as a carrier.” Ted retired in 2005, and has actively engaged in a number of civic activities, including president of the Aumsville Historical Society, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the Corn Fest for visitors to enjoy.
The annual Corn Festival parade starts at 11 a.m. at Porter-Boone Park on Saturday. The festival grounds open at 11 a.m., followed by activities, vendors and other festivities at noon. Kids’ games are from 1 to 5:30 p.m., and include a treasure hunt, three-legged race, sack race, egg toss, corn-eating contest and keg-toss games.
Two princesses will make appearances this year: Madisyn Fagin, a sophomore at Cascade High School, and Karissa Champagne, a senior at Willamette Valley Baptist School.
Additionally, a call is going out for poets to write about memories of past corn festivals. Poems may be sent to Aumsville Corn Festival, P.O. Box 364, Aumsville, OR 97325.
“A raffle for a week in Hawaii, sponsored by Riverview Community Bank, will be held,” Newson said. “New to our festival is the support of Marion Soils & Water, and they have donated two raffle baskets that will be offered through a silent auction the day of the festival.
“Stop by their booth and see what is occurring within Marion County and Mill Creek,” he added. “We are planning to offer free classes this summer and evening classes in the fall.”
On entertainment stage one will be the Red Letter Band, noon- 1 p.m. and the festival’s featured band, Free Whiskey, 2-6 p.m. On entertainment stage two will be Celebration Brass Oregon, noon-1 p.m., Aumsville Community Theater performing Old Time Radio Shows, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Cascade Strings, 3-3:30 p.m., and Jim Phau, 4-6 p.m.
“Also new this year is our first Aumsville Skate competition,” Newson said.
Sponsored by Daily Routines Clothing, three competitions will take place: 15 and under-rookie, 15 and up-intermediate, and 15 and up-pro. Deadline to register is 11 a.m. Aug. 15. Contact David Guajardo at 503-983-1555 or e-mail [email protected]. The competition will be held at the Brian Haney Memorial Skate Park in Aumsville. Prizes will be given for first, second and third place in each category.
Lastly, volunteers are always needed, Newson said.
“You can volunteer to shuck corn or bag corn for sale or serve hot buttered corn to festival goers,” he said.
Signup sheets are at Aumsville City Hall or call Newson at 503-313-2325 or e-mail [email protected].
“Come relax and enjoy some family fun,” Newson said. “We hope you like it, and come again.”
In addition to the Corn Festival, Aumsville will host a Saturday market, “The Dog Days of Summer,” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 8 at the Aumsville Civic Center parking lot on Main Street. A free drawing will be held every 15 minutes during the event. Information at www.aumsville.us or call 503-749-2030.
