One big reason to head to this small-town festival this weekend

Hint: Fresh, delicious corn
Scenes from a past South Vienna Corn Festival. This year’s event will take place Sept. 8-10. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Scenes from a past South Vienna Corn Festival. This year’s event will take place Sept. 8-10. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

From cornhole to corn cook-offs, the corn capital of the state is this small town — for at least one weekend each year.

The South Vienna Corn Festival, now in its 42nd year, will have corn in multiple forms and much more when it returns Friday, Sept. 7 through Sunday, Sept. 10. Admission is free.

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The festival brings in a variety of foods and crafts along with amusement rides for starters. There is also live entertainment and interactive events.

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WHAT’S NEW?

While the Corn Festival Queen Contest saw its final event two years ago, its spirit will live on in a new legacy.

In its place, a corn festival scholarship worth $1,000 will be awarded to one male and one female Northeastern High School senior.

Keller said since many Northeastern groups have contributed to the festival for years and this gives more students an opportunity to compete for the scholarship.

“I think it’s a better opportunity,” she said. “Girls are so busy these days, it was hard to keep the contest going.”

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GRAND MARSHAL

This year’s grand marshal is two people: Rollie and Stephanie Schumacher.

ENTERTAINMENT

There will be live entertainment throughout the weekend.

Shuttles will also be available to transport visitors to the festival site.

Pre-sale amusement ride tickets will be available for $1 each at the South Vienna Market and Dairy and South Vienna Elementary School until 6 p.m. on Friday. After that, you can purchase individual tickets or arm bands $18 for Saturday, $15 for Sunday.


WANT TO GO?

What: South Vienna Corn Festival

Where: Downtown South Vienna

When: Friday, Sept. 7, 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 9, noon to 6 p.m.

Admission: Free

Info: www.southvienna.org/corn_festival.html

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