More than 11,000 area residents are expected to descend on Adel for its annual Sweet Corn Festival.
Around six tons of Deardorff Sweetcorn has been ordered for the 46th rendition, which kicks off Friday, Aug. 8 with the community corn shucking.
“It’s a well-established tradition,” said Erin Milroy, president of the Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce. “We have 100 vendors who are participating, but we also have many of our local businesses who will also be open as well as community (members) who support us pulling off this event.”
Residents are invited to help shuck the corn at 4:30 p.m. in the parking lot at 10th and Prairie. Culligan and the Corner Tap will provide complimentary water and beer.
“A lot of hands can make light work for that, so we’re encouraging people to come out and volunteer” to help shuck corn, Milroy said.
New this year is the Kernel Kid. Sage Young, an ADM student who Milroy said has been an inspiration to the community, will serve as the inaugural Kernel Kid. He will help shuck the first ear of corn and will also ride in the parade.
Family-friendly yard games will be available at the Raccoon Valley Bank Stage and Pavilion, followed by a Corn Dive at the Adel Family Aquatic Center.
Saturday's Sweet Corn schedule includes a parade and street party
Festivities continue on Saturday, Aug. 9 with the Sweet Corn 5K Fun Run/Walk at 7:30 a.m., followed by the parade at 9:30 a.m.
The parade will start at 9:30 a.m. The route will start at 18th and Main before turning at 11th Street and returning to Prairie before kicking out at 14th Street. There is no pre-registration and those looking to join the route should line up at 8:30 a.m.
Free sweet corn will be served at 11 a.m. until it's gone at 10th Street between Main and Prairie.
Around 100 food, craft and info vendors will be stationed around the downtown square from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Other activities include a car show, live music by local groups, and a bags tournament.
The Garlick Team will sponsor this year’s fun zone from 12-4 p.m. at 10th Street and Court.
The Sweet Corn Festival wraps up with a street party from 6:30 p.m. to midnight at 10th and Main, featuring live music by JJ & The Boys, who take the stage at 7:30 p.m.
Annual festival helps celebrate sweet corn and Adel
Milroy encourages festival attendees to head over to the This is Adel mural, which is located on the side of the Fiesta building at the corner of Highway 169 and Main Street. The mural was installed in 2024 and will feature a new interactive experience during the Sweet Corn Festival.
Attendees are welcome to also check out a recently completed mural in front of Uptown Vintage Market near the This is Adel mural. The Adel Partners Arts and Trails Committee worked with ADM students to design and create a sidewalk mural highlighting Adel.
This will be Milroy's first festival, who became Adel Partners Chamber president in March.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing all the pieces come together and I’m so appreciative of the dedicated volunteers who continue to help year after year,” she said.
For more information, including a full schedule, visit the Adel Sweet Corn Festival Facebook page.