By Mary Owen
The 51st annual Aumsville Corn Festival is a two-day event this year, filled with food, corn, and all-around family friendly fun.
Held Aug. 17-18 in Porter Boone and Mill Creek parks, the festival’s theme is “New Beginnings to Better EARS Ahead,” with music, games for all ages, and free hot buttered corn on the cob. The event is preceded by a city-hosted parade with floats from community members, local organizations and businesses.
“We have lots of new things this year,” said Ed Blakesley, president of the Corn Festival Board. “We’ll have a car show, barbecue contest, a beer garden, and live entertainment Saturday, Saturday night and Sunday. There’s also a youth talent show, and we’ll still have all we have had previously.”
Leading off the festivities Saturday is the Aumsville Rural Fire Department’s blueberry pancake breakfast from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the fire station, 490 Church St. On the menu are sausage, ham, eggs, pancakes, coffee, juice or milk. Seniors 60 and over, military and first responders pay $5; adults 13 and older, $6.50; kids 6-12, $5.50; children 5 and under, free. Money raised benefits Aumsville Volunteer Firefighters.
Then the festival comes alive at 11 a.m. with a parade in downtown Aumsville, corn for sale, and numerous garage sales all day around town. Parade theme is “Lions & Tigers & Uni-CORNS? OH MY!”
To participate, pre-register at Aumsville City Hall or register at 8 a.m. on the day of the parade at the Bethel Baptist Church parking lot. Judging begins at 9:30 a.m. for Mayor’s Choice Trophy; Judges’ Choice Trophy; Best Youth Entry which takes home a trophy and $250; and Grand Theme Winner, which also receives a trophy and $250. The parade is free to enter. Former mayor Harold White is this year’s grand marshal.
Beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, family games include a treasure hunt, three-legged race, individual sack race, egg toss, balloon toss and keg toss.
A BBQ Competition will be held on Sunday, with meat furnished by Ebner’s Custom Meats. To register, go to the Aumsville Corn Festival Facebook page.
Music will be performed by Phoenix, award-winning singer songwriters Tim Crosby and Kathy Boyd, from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday and by Briana Reana and her country band Saturday evening.
The Beer Garden in Mill Creek Park will be open from noon to 10 p.m. throughout the festival. An Auto and Light Truck Show will take place both days.
Of course, hot buttered corn-on-the-cob will be offered at noon-6 p.m. free for the tasting, two ears per person. Local corn will be for sale during the festival starting at 8 a.m. both days. Marion Soil and Water Conservation District is sponsoring the corn give-away. There will be a prize drawing for a seven-day Honolulu Hawaiian Trip, donated by Riverview Community Bank.
Admission is free. No dogs are allowed in the park during the festival.
For parade information, contact Colleen Rogers at 503-749-1049, colleen@aumsville.us; Sonny Newson for all festival info at 503-313-2325, ltcsonny@gmail.com; vendor information, contact Amy Evans at amy.evans@wvbco.com.
