The 55th annual Cornfest begins today
For the 55th year, Darien is hosting its annual Cornfest celebration Sept. 11-13 in Darien West Park, at the intersection of Highway 14 and North Road at 335 W. Madison St.
Cornfest is sponsored by American Legion Post 450, the Darien Fire Department, Darien Community Club and Darien Cornfest Committee.
As in past years, Birds Eye foods is donating all the sweet corn that can be eaten Saturday and Sunday.
Former Green Bay Packer LeRoy Butler returns Cornfest this year. He will be taking photos and signing autographs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12.
The entertainment line up includes Killer Cars at 8 p.m. on Friday; the group will perform rock, pop and alternative covers. On Saturday afternoon, the New Hiram Kings will play Southern country regional hits from the 50s, 1920s hokum blues, western swing and honky tonk drinking songs. Saturday at 8 p.m. Clutch Cargo with hit the stage with covers from Chicago, the Blues Brothers, to the Doors, Van Morrison, the Beatles, Journey, Rolling Stones, John Mellencamp, Bon Jovi and more.
The annual Cornfest Princess Pageant will be at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, starting at the Darien Fire Station. The pageant is open to all girls living in Darien or having a Darien address.
There are three age groups – Little Miss Cornfest, grades K-2; Junior Miss Cornfest, grades 3-5; Miss Cornfest, grades 6-8.
The annual Cornfest parade starts with the Liberty Bike Ride at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13, with the parade stepping off at 1 p.m. sharp.
The Liberty Bike Ride is a group of military veterans on motorcycles giving tribute to our current and lost military men and women with decorated motorcycles.
Any veteran who would like to ride your motorcycle (all kinds welcome) in the Liberty Bike Ride can fill out the parade form at the Cornfest website, www.dariencornfest.us.
Line-up for units being judged will begin at 11 a.m. Parade participants must be lined up in your spot before noon to be judged. Line-up for units not being judged will begin at noon.
The entire parade route is about three-quarters of a mile. There will be two reviewing stands the first will be in front of the Farmers Inn and the other on Madison Street.
Parade line-ups are sent out in advance. If there are any questions (including those on parade day), go to the staging area at Darien Legion Hall.
There will be ribbons for novelties, horses and tractors. Ribbons and cash prizes will be awarded for floats.
Bingo is played from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday during the Cornfest. The game can be found in the Fire Station garage next to the festival grounds.
Cash prizes will be awarded (amounts vary depending on participation). Cost is 50 cents a card or three cards for $1.
And don’t forget to check out the tournaments, which include the annual 32-Team Men’s Softball, volleyball and horseshoe competition which run all day Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, visit the festival’s website.
