13,000 ears to celebrate summer: Sugar Grove Corn Boil this weekend

Posted July 22, 2009 11:00 pm

By Emily Jurlina Daily Herald Staff

Planners for this year's Sugar Grove Corn Boil estimate that over 13,000 ears of corn will be sold throughout the weekend, adding a tasty, buttery touch to what could be some very sweet savings for a good cause.

Admission is free for the Corn Boil, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m. Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony outside the Prairie Building on Main Street. The Sugar Grove Citizen of the Year will also be named and honored later in the evening at 7:30 p.m.

After opening ceremonies visitors can enjoy live music all three days the festival runs. The Corn Boil will also feature a new carnival company with a wider variety of rides than in years past.

"We have rides for all ages so if you're smaller and prefer slower rides we have those. Or, if you're more daring, we have larger more thrill-seeking rides too," Corn Boil President and Village Trustee Kevin Geary said.

In addition to the estimated 3,000 and 5,000 ears of corn per day, typical festival fare, including hot dogs and brats, will be available at 2008 prices.

"We know that times are tough for families so it was mandated that we keep prices the same as they were last year to keep everything affordable," Geary said.

The Corn Boil is a volunteer-run event whose profits will be returned to the community through donations to various nonprofits groups like the Sugar Grove Fire Fighters Association, which uses the money to fund special treatment for burn victims. Geary estimates that last year's Corn Boil was able to donate at least $15,000 to nonprofits.

The Corn Boil usually draws a crowd of about 30,000 people over the course of its run but Geary thinks this year, since so many communities have had to cut back because of the economy, the Corn Boil could draw more than 50,000 people.

Geary is also hoping that the Corn Boil's annual fireworks show, something he considers the "envy of the surrounding communities," will bring people in when it begins at 9:30 p.m. Saturday. A 5k run is also planned for 7:30 a.m. on Saturday and arts and crafts vendors will be on site all weekend.

For Geary, the Corn Boil serves to underscore the family and community aspect of Sugar Grove itself.

"I hope people come out (to the Corn Boil) and they enjoy our community. It's all about friends and neighbors enjoying the community, that's what Sugar Grove is all about," Geary said.

For an event schedule and information, visit sugargrovecornboil.org.

Triplets Kyle, from front, Evan and Cole Wassinger, then 1, nibble on corn while visiting the Sugar Grove Corn Boil last year. Daily Herald file, 2008

If you go What: The 42nd annual Sugar Grove Corn Boil, featuring a 5k run at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, crafters, a carnival and plenty of corn on the cob. When: 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 24; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 25; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 26 Where: Festivalgoers can access the Corn Boil's main entrance on Main Street in downtown Sugar Grove. Parking is free and visitors can also access the festival via a free shuttle system with various pickup points in downtown Sugar Grove. Admission: Free Details: <a href="http://sugargrovecornboil.org" target="new">sugargrovecornboil.org</a>

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