Sugar Grove Corn Boil now a four-day event
After a successful trial run last year, the Sugar Grove Corn Boil committee has decided to make the Corn Boil a four-day event on an ongoing basis.
On Thursday, July 23, the carnival will be will be open to the public at 5 p.m. and wristbands will be accepted. Genoa's Pizza & Italian Concession also will be open and serving its full menu.
The Corn Boil formally kicks off the festival at 5 p.m. Friday, July 24, with a parade and everyone is welcome to join. (Details are coming soon.)
Citizen of the Year, Sugar Grove Chamber Scholarship winners, and the two Donna Markus Scholarship winners will be announced at the main stage after the parade.
In honor of the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, this year's theme is the "Sugar Grove Corn Boil Salutes Vietnam Veterans." As always, admission is free-for-all four days. There will be limited veteran preferred parking in the senior and handicapped lot located in front of John Shields Elementary School.
The Saturday night fireworks display has been renamed the Bob Bohler Memorial Fireworks at the Sugar Grove Corn Boil in honor of the former Sugar Grove trustee and past Lions Club president, who from the very beginning was instrumental in bringing the fireworks to Sugar Grove and making the display one of the best in the region. Bohler ensured approvals with the FAA, handled all the paperwork and was responsible for acquiring the donations that made the fireworks possible. Everyone is invited to visit www.sugargrovecornboil.org and click on the "gofundme" box on the lower right side of the home page to donate and continue Bob Bohler's tradition of providing Saturday night fireworks.
Presale carnival wristbands entitling the wearer to unlimited carnival rides during specified times are available at $20, are on sale at Old Second National Bank, Castle Bank and American Heartland Bank and Trust in Sugar Grove while supplies last.
Unlimited ride times are Thursday, July 23 from 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday, July 24 from 5 to 11 pm; Saturday, July 25 from noon to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, July 26 from noon to 5 p.m. Carnival hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.to 6 p.m. Sunday. Presale wristbands end at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 23. Limited wristband quantities are available. However, unlimited-ride wristbands also will be available at the carnival ticket booth for $25, during normal carnival hours. Each wristband will be good for the day for which it is purchased. Wristbands will not be replaced, exchanged or refunded. All sales are final.
The Corn Boil Committee is a nonprofit organization - an all-volunteer community group that exists for the purpose of planning, organizing and presenting this annual summer festival that promotes a sense of community and provides local service organizations a fundraising opportunity. After the Corn Boil Committee puts aside its seed money for the next year, all proceeds are donated to other local nonprofit groups.
As well as being family friendly, the Sugar Grove Corn Boil offers entertainment appealing to everyone. From the Wilson Family Show carnival, craft fair, bingo and children's games, the Corn Boil also offers three days of top-notch bands, fine food and of course, fireworks on Saturday night. Like the Corn Boil Facebook page, and invite your friends.
The Sugar Grove Corn Boil is located in Volunteer Park, west of Route 47, just off Main Street in downtown Sugar Grove behind the Kaneland John Shields Elementary School. For more information about the Corn Boil visit www.sugargrovecornboil.org.
Plenty of free parking is available in marked lots in the community and free shuttles run throughout the Corn Boil from the Sugar Grove Village Hall and Sugar Grove Public Library parking areas to the park entrance. A senior/handicapped lot is located in front of John Shields Elementary School, 85 S. Main St.
Sweet corn and other food and beverages can be purchased at the Prairie Building. In addition, many vendors, offering a variety of tantalizing foods are also available on the food court. Cold beer and other alcoholic beverages are available for purchase near the pavilion.
The Corn Boil is still accepting sponsorships and donations for fireworks. The amount is tax deductible and no amount is too small. All donations are appreciated! Please visit www.sugargrovecornboil.org and click on sponsorships.