Corn Fest remains true to its tasty history

(Daily Chronicle file photo)

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DeKALB – For area residents, this weekend is all about one thing: Corn.

“It started the festival and it needs to stay with it,” said Bryan Klatt, chairman of the DeKalb Corn Fest Chuck Siebrasse Corn Boil. “Corn is the most important facet of this event. Some might say it’s the beer gardens, but I have a problem with that.”

Friday is the kickoff to Corn Fest, an annual event that not only draws visitors from all over DeKalb County, but the Midwest. The festival began in 1957 when Del Monte Produce Inc., gave away free corn to residents as they began their harvest. But the Corn Fest as it is known today – complete with music, vendors, food, beer, wine and carnival rides – started in 1977.

The festival was moved a few times during the years, coordinators said, but was hosted in downtown DeKalb until 2008. It is now at the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport, and attendees can take shuttle rides to the downtown area if they choose.

Although there is no way to know for certain the number of corn kernels that will be eaten during the three-day event, some statistics can be gathered:

100,000: people or more are expected to attend during the weekend.

70: tons of sweet corn will be served during the weekend.

165: volunteers will help at the sponsor tent, beer garden, parking lots, gates and other locations on the site.

71: area vendors will be featured.

18,000: ears of corn will be eaten at the Chuck Siebrasse Corn Boil.

514: people are pre-registered for either the 10K or 3K runs Saturday. At least 150 more are expected to sign up at the events.

Schedule

CARNIVAL TIMES
Friday: 3-10 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

KID FEST
Runs in conjunction with the carnival times and features free inflatables located just south of the carnival and east of the community stage.


General Corn Fest Schedule

FRIDAY
3-10 p.m. vendors and booths will be open.
6-7:30 p.m. Monkeys and More Exotic Animal Rescue Show, which is a free show for children to see exotic monkeys, snakes and other animals up close. It also focuses on educating the public about the repercussions of owning exotic animals as pets.
7-11 p.m. are the hours the beer and wine garden will be open on the festival grounds near the Soundstage.


SATURDAY
7 a.m. registration for the 10K Race or 3K Walk-run at DeKalb High School, 1515 S. Fourth Street and Barb Bouldevard.
8 a.m. registration for the Diaper Derby Toddler Trot at DeKalb High School.
8 a.m.-Noon registration for Auto Fest vintage car show.
8:25 a.m. step-off for the 3K walk.
8:30 a.m. step-off for the 10K run.
9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Craft Fest featuring local artisans and out-of-state crafters held at Clinton Rosette Middle School on North First Street in DeKalb.
10 a.m. -10 p.m. vendors and booths will be open.
10 a.m.-7 p.m. Cornstruction Sidewalk Event in downtown DeKalb, where local merchants will host sidewalk sales.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. free bus tours of DeKalb will be offered in 2-hour intervals.  They depart from the shuttle bus area at the festival.
11 a.m.-2 p.m. The Chuck Siebrasse Corn Boil at the entrance of the festival, where free corn will be provided by DelMonte Produce Inc.
11 a.m.-3 p.m.  Art Fest For Kids at the community stage area will feature free hands-on activities for children and families.
12-11 p.m. are the hours the beer and wine garden will be open on the festival grounds near the Soundstage.
12-2 p.m. voting at Auto Fest, located just west of the carnival area.
3:30 p.m.  Auto Fest award winners are named.


SUNDAY
10 a.m.-6 p.m. vendors and booths will be open.
10 a.m. Bike Rally at Lions Park on Taylor Street in DeKalb.
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Cornstruction Sidewalk Event in downtown DeKalb, where local merchants will host sidewalk sales.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. free bus tours of DeKalb will be offered in 2-hour intervals. They depart from the shuttle bus area at the festival.
11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Craft Fest featuring local artisans and out-of-state crafters held at Clinton Rosette Middle School on North First Street in DeKalb.
12.-3 p.m. Art Fest For Kids at the community stage area will feature free hands-on activities for children and families.
12-6 p.m. are the hours the beer and wine garden will be open on the festival grounds near the Soundstage.