For 80 years, people all across the Midwest have come to Hoopeston to celebrate the harvest of sweet corn. Originally organized to promote business in Hoopeston, the National Sweetcorn Festival will kick off on Thursday, Aug. 29.
What sets this yearly festival apart from several others that take place across the area is right in the name: sweet corn — approximately 50 tons of it that will be cooked in an antique steam engine and given away to festivalgoers on Saturday, Aug. 31, Sunday, Sept. 1, and Monday, Sept. 2, according to the Hoopeston Jaycees, who host the festival.
This year’s chairman, Alexis Hardcastle, said she is honored to take part in such a historical, rare moment in history.
“There are not too many events that have such a long-standing tradition in our community,” says Hardcastle. “Being a part of this event is like gaining a second family. Everyone pulls together when you need help or is always there to give you their thoughts when you have a new idea.”
Among many traditional festival events scheduled for the multi-day festival — including a Demolition Derby, carnival rides, a car show, and the National Sweetheart beauty pageant — there will be a one-mile Fun Run/Walk, hosted by Sculpt Fitness, as well as the Bill Orr Memorial 5K. This year’s festival will also feature a kids’ fishing derby and a duck race.
To learn more about the National Sweetcorn Festival, check out their Facebook page.
“We use this page as a way to get information out about all the events happening at the festival,” says Hardcastle. “But I also want to see all the fun everyone had during the festival. Please share your memories by mentioning us and enjoy the events and sweetcorn!”