Mendota Sweet Corn Festival continues through this weekend

One of Starved Rock Country’s longest-running annual gatherings, Mendota’s Sweet Corn Festival returns for its 79th year this weekend.

Held in downtown Mendota through Sunday, the popular festival features a parade, carnival, food booths, craft show, flea market, beer garden, live entertainment and, of course, free sweet corn on Sunday – while supplies last.

Windy City Amusements will stage a full-size carnival midway through Sunday, complete with a carousel, Ferris wheel, Sizzler, zero-gravity ride and flying teacups, just to name a few of the many rides and attractions. A wide variety of carnival food vendors will be set along the midway, serving up all your favorite classics from yesteryear. The carnival is slated to run from 1 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Unlimited ride passes will be sold at the Windy City Amusements ticketing booth.

Saturday’s festivities will include a Crafter’s Market Place and Flea Market, featuring more than 200 talented crafters spread across two convenient locations in Mendota (downtown Veterans Park on Route 34 and the Elks Club parking lot on Indiana Avenue). There also will be a Pickleball tournament held at Lake Mendota, free face painting at noon near the corner of Washington Street and Indiana Avenue, and the annual Sweet Corn Festival food content – starting at 2pm in the Elk’s Lodge basement.

You’ll also be treated to free live sets by DJ The Phenom at the First State Bank Hospitality Tent at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Les Crum at 2 p.m. Local favorite singer-songwriter Steve Cerqua will play at the FSB headlining stage at 11:30 a.m. followed by Mid Lyfe Krysys at 2 p.m. Libido Funk Circus will be closing out the day with a 7:30 p.m. set at the Main St. Beer Garden stage.

The Crafter’s Market Place and Flea Market continues from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Acoustix will perform at the FSB main stage at noon, while Bubble Superstars Bubble Entertainment will provide roaming fun throughout the day. The highlight of the day, The Sweet Corn Festival Grand Parade, will kick off at 1 p.m., featuring floats, bands, antique and classic vehicles and much more.

After the parade, be sure to stick around to try some of the festival’s legendary, namesake sweet corn, served hot and without charge at the intersection of Illinois Avenue and Jefferson Street, while supplies last.

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit www.sweetcornfestival.com.