Tons of free, hot, buttered, delicious sweet corn will be the highlight of the 76th annual Sweet Corn Festival.

The Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce is preparing for the gigantic undertaking of hosting over 60,000 visitors, who consume over 50 tons of sweet corn during the festival weekend.

Don't miss the excitement for the festival offers a variety of entertainment events for the entire family. The events take place primarily in the downtown area, and with the exception of the beer garden, have no admission fees or parking fees.

Free musical entertainment is in abundance. The Crafters Market Place and flea market features over 200 dealers in hand made crafts and unique merchandise. There is a Queen Pageant, beer garden with live bands, grand parade and a brand new carnival with more rides and games for both adults and children, plus much more.

The midways are lined with food booths, featuring a multitude of ethnic, regional and festival foods, but the "BIG EVENT" is the serving of the free Sweet Corn on Sunday afternoon. For over 70 years, it has been cooked to its golden goodness with the help of a vintage steam engine.

The good times are waiting, the welcome mat is out, come to Mendota for one of the Midwest's oldest and largest harvest festivals, the 76th annual Sweet Corn Festival.

Festival Schedule:

Thursday, August 10, 2023

3:00 pm: A Special Afternoon for Special Kids

The Carnival will be open for a private armband for anyone with Special Needs and their immediate family. Registration required.

Registration Form

Location: Carnival Midway

5:00 pm - 7:00pm: The Acoustix

Location: First State Bank Hospitality Tent

6:00 pm - 10:00pm: Carnival Midway Open 

7:00 pm: Silvertone Junction 

Silvertone Junction performance on the First State Bank Stage

Sponsored by Dr. Tara VanDeWyngaerde

Location: Mendota High School tennis courts located at 2300 West Main St.

7:00 pm - 10:00pm: Teen Dance

Detailed Hours: 7:30 pm - 12:00 am

Location: Beer Garden 800 block of Main St.

Friday, August 11, 2023

10:30 am - 11:00 pm: Food & Merchandise Booth Open

11:00 am - 1:00 pm: DJ

Location: First State Bank Hospitality Tent

11:00 am: Magic Matt

Location:  Strolling

12:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Carnival Midway Open 

2:00 pm - 6:00 pm: The Acoustix

Location: First State Bank Hospitality Tent

6:30 pm - 7:15 pm: Pre-Pageant Entertainment - Andrew Bloomquist

Location: First State Bank Stage

7:30 pm: 2023 Sweet Corn Queen Pageant 

Sweet Corn Queen Pageant on the First State Bank Stage on Rt. 34 downtown with pre-pageant and intermission entertainment featuring Andrew Bloomquist

Location: First State Bank Stage

7:30 pm: Beer Garden - Greenfield Station

Saturday, August 12, 2023

9:00 am - 5:00 pm: Crafters Market Place & Flea Market

Location: Veteran''''s Park on Rt. 34 in downtown Mendota and the Elks Club parking lot on Indiana Ave. & Jefferson St.

Crafters Market Place & Flea Market. Lots of vendors in two locations. Veteran's Park on Rt. 34 in downtown Mendota and the Elks Club parking lot on Indiana Ave. & Jefferson St. just 1/2 block north of Veteran's Park.

10:30 am: Food & Merchandise Booth Open

11:30 am - 1:30 pm: Steve Cirqua

Location: First State Bank Stage

12:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Carnival Midway Open 

12:00 pm: Mr. Steve

Location: Corner of Illinois Ave. and Jefferson St.

12:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Wild Style Free Face Painting

Location: Near the corner of Washington St. & Indiana Ave.

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Lica Lorraine

Location: Intersection of Washington St. and 8th Avenue

2:00 pm - 4:00pm: Zac Quad Music

Location: First State Bank Hospitality Tent

2:00 pm: Annual Sweet Corn Festival Food Contest

2:00 pm: Mr. Steve

Location: Corner of Illinois Ave. and Jefferson St.

2:30 pm - 5:30 pm: Judson Main

Location: First State Bank Stage

3:30 pm - 6:30 pm: Beer Garden - The Valley Katz

Location: Beer Garden

4:00 pm: Mr. Steve

Location: Corner of Illinois Ave. and Jefferson St.

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm: DJ

Location: First State Bank Hospitality Tent

8:30 pm - 12:30 am: Beer Garden - Side Hustle

Location: Beer Garden

Sunday, August 13, 2023

9:00 am - 5:00 pm: Crafters Market Place & Flea Market

Location: Veteran''s Park on Rt. 34 in downtown Mendota and the Elks Club parking lot on Indiana Ave. & Jefferson St.

Crafters Market Place & Flea Market. Over 200 vendors in town locations. Veteran’s Park on Rt. 34 in downtown Mendota and the Elks Club parking lot on Indiana Ave. & Jefferson St. just ½ block north of Veteran’s Park.

10:30 am: First State Bank Hospitality Tent Opens

10:30 am - 6:00 pm: Food & Merchandise Booth Open

12:00 pm - 12:30 pm: The Jesse White Tumblers

Location: In front of the Mendota Elks Lodge on Indiana Ave

12:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Carnival Midway Open 

1:00 pm: SWEET CORN FESTIVAL GRAND PARADE

SWEET CORN FESTIVAL GRAND PARADE Featuring floats, bands, antique & classic vehicles, Shriners and more! Special highlights include The Jesse White Tumblers and The South Shore Drill Team.

2:00 pm: FREE SWEET CORN!

FREE SWEET CORN! Served at the intersection of Illinois Ave & Jefferson St.

Location: Served at the intersection of Illinois Ave & Jefferson St.

3:30 pm - 4:00 pm: The South Shore Drill Team

Location: In front of the Mendota Elks Lodge at 707 Indiana Ave.

Date:
August 10-13, 2023

Location:
Downtown Mendota,
Mendota, IL 61342

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