Just how many ears of sweet corn have been served during Adel’s Sweet Corn Festival?
Organizers said it’s hard to know for sure, but the number is likely in the hundreds of thousands as the annual festival returns for the 45th year on Saturday.
“I was told the year I started (in 2016) that they ordered 7 tons that year, so that’s what I’ve rolled with going forward,” said Deb Bengtson, president of the Adel PartnersChamber of Commerce.
A little under seven tons of Deardorff Sweet Corn has been ordered for this year’s festival, which kicks off on Friday with the community corn shucking.
Area residents are invited to help shuck around 14,000 ears of corn starting at 4:30 p.m. on Friday in the parking lot at 10th and Prairie. Complimentary water and beer will be provided by Culligan and the Corner Tap.
“Usually, it’s around a two-hour process to shuck a little under 7 tons of corn,” Bengtson said. “The community has been great about showing up and helping us shuck the corn and get it ready for the next day. In fact, I’ve had people tell me that it's their favorite part of the Sweet Corn Festival.”
The Sweet Corn Princess Contest will follow at 6:30 p.m. on the Main Stage at 10th and Main. Around 15 second, third and fourth grade ADM students are set to participate. The princess and her court are selected by random drawing.
Annual festival celebrates 45 years of sweet corn
The annual Sweet Corn Festival has evolved over the years.
“The festival just started out as a(way for) local merchants to say thank you to the community for supporting them and it’s mushroomed from there to a very big festival,” Bengtson said.
The celebration draws more than 11,000 people, including local community members, graduates of Adel-De Soto-Minburn High School and area residents.
“It gives us the opportunity to showcase what a charming and beautiful community we have in Adel. And that’s what makes it really special,” Bengtson said.
Around 500 volunteers are needed to make sure everything runs smoothly.
“The Raccoon Valley Sportsman Club helps with the quality control, the Boy Scouts help load the truck (with corn). It takes a village to put on the Sweet Corn Festival,” Bengtson said.
More than 100 volunteers help with the 5K alone while members of the Adel Kiwanis Club help coordinate the parade.
“It’s our way to give back to the community,” Gavin said of the Kiwanis members.
Saturday's schedule includes a parade and street party
Festivities continue on Saturday, Aug. 10 with the Sweet Corn 5K Fun Run/Walk at 7:30 a.m., followed by the parade at 9:30 a.m.
Scott Gavinof the Adel Kiwanis, which helpsorganize the parade, said the route will travel down 18th Street to Main Street, turn at 11th Street and return to Prairie before kicking out at 14th Street.
There is no pre-registration or fee, and Gavin said anyone looking to participate in the parade can get in line at 8:30 a.m. west of 18th Street on Brickyard Road.
“It’s amazing the level of participation and the level of attendees,” he added as area residents line both sides of the street.This year's parade will likely be even bigger as it's an election year.
Chowing down on corn
Free sweet corn will be served at 11 a.m. at 10th Street between Main and Prairie.
Close to 100 food, craft, art and info vendors will be stationed around the downtown square from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“We have the most vendors that we’ve ever had at any Sweet Corn Festival,” Bengtson said. “We hope everybody comes out and checks out all of our vendors, there’s a wide variety this year from art to crafts to face painting. We have a little bit of everything.”
Other activities include a car show, live music, sand volleyball and a bags tournaments.
The Garlick Team will present this year’s fun zone from 12-4 p.m. at 10th Street and Court. Kids can enjoy a bounce house, obstacle course, games and more.
The Sweet Corn Festival wraps up with a street party from 6 p.m. to midnight at 10th and Main, featuring live music by Burnin’ Sensations, who take the stage at 7:30 p.m.
“It’s really a place to come together as a community and celebrate and enjoy free sweet corn,” Bengtson added.
She encourages locals to check out all of Saturday's activities.
“You just need to come and experience it,” Bengtson said. “Who doesn’t want to eat an ear of sweet corn in the summertime?”
For more information, including a full schedule, visit the Adel Sweet Corn Festival Facebook page.
