Though many Midwest states are known for corn production, Illinois might be the most proud. We celebrate the harvest of our favorite vegetable with corn festivals that attract locals from far and wide.
Everyone loves when the fair comes to town, and these six carnivals and festivals are some of Illinois’ best. Keep scrolling for dates and other details.
- Dekalb Corn Fest
Facebook/DeKalb Corn Fest Attracting Illinoisans from all over the state, this annual corn celebration is a free music festival that takes places August 25-27, 2017 and includes a range of activities. Most popular is the Chuck Siebrasse Corn Boil, but visitors also enjoy bus tours, an auto fest, art exhibits, a cornhole tournament, and a carnival with games and rides. It is located in downtown DeKalb on Lincoln Hwy Between 1st and 4th Street.
- Urbana Sweetcorn Festival
Facebook/Urbana Sweetcorn Festival With over 50,000 visitors each year, this is the largest free fest in Champaign County. Locals come for the live music, fair food, car show, and, of course, fresh, hot buttered sweetcorn from a nearby farm. The fair has been around since 1975 and takes place August 25-26, 2017.
- Sweet Corn Blues Festival
Facebook/Uptown Normal Boasting over 50,000 ears of sweetcorn, this annual fest includes sidewalk sales, crafts, a flea market, and the best blues music and delicious eats in the state. It is attended by locals and students from nearby Illinois State University who are just returning to school. It takes places August 26-27, 2017 on North Street from Fell to the Circle and East Beaufort Street from the Circle to Linden Street.
- National Sweetcorn Festival
Facebook/National Sweetcorn Festival This fest was first held in 1941 (though it was put on hold through the World Wars), and you don’t want to miss it. Located at McFerren Park in Hoopeston, it includes a carnival, demolition derby, parade, and beauty pageant. The festival takes places August 31 - September 4, 2017, and visitors come for the 50 tons of sweetcorn that is cooked in an antique fashion and given out for free.
- Darien Cornfest
Facebook/Darien Cornfest Since 1960, this fabulous corn festival has been a tradition loved by young and old. It includes softball and volleyball tournaments, fireworks, rides, games, live music, and a parade. There is also a craft fair, bingo, and a raffle with cash prizes. It takes place September 8-10, 2017 at Darien West Park on Highway 14.
- Grundy County Corn Festival
Facebook/Grundy County Corn Festival This popular county fair takes places September 27 - October 1, 2017 at the intersections of Interstate 80 and Illinois Route 47 in Historic Downtown Morris. It includes a plethora of different activities including a parade, a carnival, food vendors, craft shows, a flea market, a petting zoo, pony rides, train rides, a talent show, and so much more.
If you’re looking for more great festivals, check out these 10 unique hot air balloon celebrations in Illinois.
Facebook/DeKalb Corn Fest
Attracting Illinoisans from all over the state, this annual corn celebration is a free music festival that takes places August 25-27, 2017 and includes a range of activities. Most popular is the Chuck Siebrasse Corn Boil, but visitors also enjoy bus tours, an auto fest, art exhibits, a cornhole tournament, and a carnival with games and rides. It is located in downtown DeKalb on Lincoln Hwy Between 1st and 4th Street.
Facebook/Urbana Sweetcorn Festival
With over 50,000 visitors each year, this is the largest free fest in Champaign County. Locals come for the live music, fair food, car show, and, of course, fresh, hot buttered sweetcorn from a nearby farm. The fair has been around since 1975 and takes place August 25-26, 2017.
Facebook/Uptown Normal
Boasting over 50,000 ears of sweetcorn, this annual fest includes sidewalk sales, crafts, a flea market, and the best blues music and delicious eats in the state. It is attended by locals and students from nearby Illinois State University who are just returning to school. It takes places August 26-27, 2017 on North Street from Fell to the Circle and East Beaufort Street from the Circle to Linden Street.
Facebook/National Sweetcorn Festival
This fest was first held in 1941 (though it was put on hold through the World Wars), and you don’t want to miss it. Located at McFerren Park in Hoopeston, it includes a carnival, demolition derby, parade, and beauty pageant. The festival takes places August 31 - September 4, 2017, and visitors come for the 50 tons of sweetcorn that is cooked in an antique fashion and given out for free.
Facebook/Darien Cornfest
Since 1960, this fabulous corn festival has been a tradition loved by young and old. It includes softball and volleyball tournaments, fireworks, rides, games, live music, and a parade. There is also a craft fair, bingo, and a raffle with cash prizes. It takes place September 8-10, 2017 at Darien West Park on Highway 14.
Facebook/Grundy County Corn Festival
This popular county fair takes places September 27 - October 1, 2017 at the intersections of Interstate 80 and Illinois Route 47 in Historic Downtown Morris. It includes a plethora of different activities including a parade, a carnival, food vendors, craft shows, a flea market, a petting zoo, pony rides, train rides, a talent show, and so much more.
Have you ever been to one of these festivals? Share your experiences and photos with us!
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