The Mendota Sweet Corn Festival takes place Thursday, August 12 Friday, August 13; Saturday, August 14; and Sunday, August 15. The calendar of events and other general information is below.
6:00 p.m. Carnival Midway & Food Booths Open, Family Night.
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m."WGLC/Q Idol Contestl" ...with Chris Carson & Wally sponsored by WGLC/Q97.7/103.3 on the Main Street Stage. 1st and 2nd prizes awarded in each of the following age categories; 5-10 & 11-15. Pre-registration deadline August 6, 2010. Limited spots available, download application at www.wglc.net or www.qhitmusic.com or pick up at the Mendota Chamber office.
Friday, August 13
11:00 a.m. Food, Merchandise Vendors & First State Bank Hospitality Tent open on the Midway.
12:00 Noon Carnival opens for the day - ARMBAND discount on rides till 4:00 P.M.
12:00 Noon - Petting zoo and pony rides available in the south Elks Club parking lot. Be sure to check out your favorite furry friends!
12:00 Noon- 7:00 p.m. - DUNK TANK! Come see local clubs and organizations leaders in the dunk tank located in the Elks Club parking lot. Stop by and dunk your favorite person once or twice! Sponsored by Prescott Brothers, Inc.
1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Balloon Creations and Magic by Billy the Balloon Guy; FREE to everyone at the corner of Illinois Ave. and Jefferson. Sponsored by Schimmer GM.
7:20 p.m. Pre-Pageant Entertainment - Decatur Park Singers, sponsored by R R Donnelley Mendota, Inc. on the First State Stage on Rt. 34 downtown.
7:30 p.m. to Midnight Beer Garden - featuring "Slow Tuesday" sponsored by L.R.B. Distributors, Inc. - 800 block of Main Street downtown.
8:00 p.m. Festival Queen Pageant on the First State Stage on Rt. 34 downtown
Saturday, August 14
6:00 a.m.Illinois Valley Cycling Association presents, “Sweet Corn Century Bicycle Ride”. Registration and ride begin at 6:00 a.m. at Mendota Community Hospital. Three different loops of 25, 35, and 42 miles each around Mendota. Ride each or all as many times as you would like. Each loop begins and ends at the hospital. Food and drinks provided. For more information go to www.bikeiv.org. Ride is held in conjunction with Mendota Community Hospital’s “Cornapalooza” Run/Walk.
8:00 a.m.Mendota Community Hospital presents "Cornapalooza," a 5K/10K Run & 5K Fitness Walk. Race begins and ends at Mendota Community Hospital. Participants will encounter rural Mendota and its rolling hills & sights. Awards, giveaways & some great corny food for all that participate. For more information or an application go to www.mendotahospital.org or call (815) 539-7461 x3209. Proceeds benefit Mendota Community Hospital.
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Crafters Market Place & Flea Market. Over 200 dealers in three locations - Veterans' Park on Rt. 34 downtown, the Elks Club Parking Lot on Indiana Ave. & Jefferson Street, and adjacent Jefferson Street. These locations are just 1/2 block apart.
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.American Red Cross blood drive on the corner of Indiana Ave. & Jefferson St. "Help Fill The Blood Bank" is designed to encourage Americans to help save lives through regular blood donations. For an appointment, please call the American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE ext. 5
10:00 a.m. Youth Parade - the magic of children touches the Festival with this traditional procession of children's floats, bicycles, pets and costumes sponsored by the Mendota Optimist Club. Parade goes from Holy Cross Parking Lot to First State Stage on Rt. 34 downtown. For more information and a registration form, click here.
10:30 a.m.Mini Royalty Pageant - 5 year olds compete to wear the crown of Mini King & Queen of Mendota's Annual Sweet Corn Fest, on the First State Stage Rt. 34 downtown. Sponsored by Plano Molding Company of Mendota.
10:30 a.m.Carnival, Midway Food & Merchandise Vendors and First State Bank Hospitality Tent open for the day.
10:30 a.m. - Petting zoo and pony rides available in the south Elks Club parking lot. Be sure to check out your favorite furry friends!
11:00 a.m.Just for Kix will perform on the First State Stage downtown. This local girls' dance team will dazzle you with their precision dance skills and team work. Sponsored by Ekana Nursery & Landscaping.
Noon - 3:00 p.m.Engel Art Face Painters professional artists will be available to transform you into your favorite animal or superhero for the day. Free, near the corner of Washington & Indiana Ave. Sponsored by Bay Valley Foods and Prairie Land Millwright.
12:00 Noon- 7:00 p.m. - DUNK TANK! Come see local clubs and organizations leaders in the dunk tank located in the Elks Club parking lot. Stop by and dunk your favorite person once or twice! Sponsored by Prescott Brothers, Inc.
12:30 - 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. 3 SHOWS - Mr. D's House of Magic and Illusion. See the amazing Magic House on wheels! Show includes live animals, illusions, balloons and comedy all blended into wholesome family entertainment. This event is sponsored by Advanced Drainage Systems and Arthur J. Gallagher & Company.
2:00 p.m.5th Annual Sweet Corn Festival Food Contest, sponsored by Illinois Frame, Inc. All categories of food must be made with sweet corn and prepared in advance. Judging will be held at 2:00 p.m. sharp at the Mendota Elk's Lodge, 707 Indiana Ave. downtown. Entry forms available at the Mendota Chamber.
3:30 p.m.Canine Demonstration coordinated by Mendota Police Department. Indiana Avenue near Mendota Elk's Lodge. Sponsored by Kurt Bruno State Farm Insurance.
3:00 - 5:00 p.m.Dan Tedesco and the Long Haul will be playing classic Rock & Roll music on the First State Stage downtown. Sponsored by Holland & Sons- John Deere.
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. The StingRays will take you on a nostalgic trip back in time, playing 50's, 60's, & 70's rock'n roll on the First State Stage. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a concert under the stars. Sponsored by HCC, Inc.
7:30 p.m. - Midnight Beer Garden, featuring The Crowd, - 800 block of Main Street downtown. Sponsored by ADM Grain Co.
All Day Tennis Tournament Doubles, Adult Division sponsored by Goslin Drug, takes place at the tennis courts at the Mendota High School on Rt. 52 north. SOUND for Saturday on the First State Stage and Beer Garden is sponsored by Illinois Valley Rides.
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Crafters Market Place & Flea Market. Over 200 dealers in three locations - Veterans' Park on Rt. 34 downtown, the Elks Club Parking Lot on Indiana Ave. & Jefferson Street, and adjacent Jefferson Street. These locations are just 1/2 block apart.
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.Crimzon Cross, performing Contemporary Christian Music Ministry, on the parade reviewing stand on Rt. 34 on the north side of Veteran's Park.
10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.Check out NASCAR cars in the 800 block of Main St. Featuring Toby from "Cars", #42 Richard Petty STP Pontiac, and a #38 M&M's racing simulator- where you be the driver! Sponsored by Midland States Bank.
10:30 a.m. Food Booths, featuring festival, ethnic and regional delights, a variety of merchandise booths and First State Bank Hospitality Tent open for the day.
11:00 a.m.Carnival, Illinois Valley Rides, featuring rides, games and treats, opens for the day.
12:00 noon The Jesse White Tumblers will give a special high-flying performance in front of the Mendota Elks Club on Indiana Ave. Sponsored by Mendota Agri-Products and Phalen Steel Construction Company.
1:00 p.m. Sweet Corn Festival Grand Parade Featuring floats, bands, antique & classic autos, Shriners and more! Special highlights: the exciting and energetic Jesse White Tumblers, sponsored by Mendota Agri-Products and Phalen Steel Construction Company, The Golden Knights Drill Team, sponsored by Black Bros. Company and Mendota Community Hospital, and the Blue Saints Drum Corps sponsored by Eureka Savings Bank.
2:00 p.m. FREE SWEET CORN, Del Monte's finest, served steaming hot! Butter donated by Sullivan Foods of Mendota. Served at the intersection of Illinois Avenue and Jefferson Street downtown.
3:00 p.m.The Blue Saints Drum Corps will perform in front of the Elks Club at 707 Indiana Avenue. Watch their upbeat, exciting performance! Sponsored by Eureka Savings Bank.
3:30 p.m. The spectacular Golden Knights Drill Team will perform in front of the Elks Club. You have watched them in the parade; don't miss this very special performance! Sponsored by Black Bros. Company and Mendota Community Hospital.
4:30 p.m.Sweet Corn Eating Contest sponsored by Northern Illinois Ambulance Billing. Ages 12 and under are invited to feast on Del Monte Sweet Corn. First 25 to register will be able to participate. Sign up begins at 3:30 p.m. behind the steam engine at the corn serving area on Illinois Ave. MP3 player awarded.
All Day Tennis Tournament Singles, Adult Division, sponsored by Goslin Drug, takes place at the Tennis courts at Mendota High School on Rt. 52 north. SOUND sponsored by Illinois Valley Rides on the Phalen Steel Construction Company Parade Reviewing Stand.
