Boosters ready to shuck and soak for corn boil

Sweltering temperatures won't keep volunteers from standing over hot grills to cook 700 brats and 800 hot dogs.

And high humidity won't keep volunteers from showing up at 2:30 p.m. Friday to start soaking a truckload of corn.

"We'll be out there soaking the corn," said Greg Hodge, chairman of the annual Batavia High School Bulldog Boosters corn boil. "And be sure you let everyone know that we soak the corn in brand-new garbage cans each year."

You've got to be thankful for that.

The annual corn boil has emerged over the years from a football team fundraiser to a community event.

"The corn boil involves so many in the community," Hodge said. "Batavia Rental has been great about getting the tents to the field and setting them up for us. The Moose lets us use their grills, and Jim Mulholland gets us the corn every year at a really good price."

The event isn't a big money-maker for the Boosters, but it is a kick off for the coming school year. High school clubs and organizations set up tents to sell stuff and showcase their talents.

You won't just see the sports teams in action, you'll also hear the band and see the dance team and cheerleaders.

"It's almost like a carnival atmosphere," Hodge said. "We have so much going on. We even have the big inflatables for the little kids to come and jump around in."

The corn boil has come a long way since Hodge first participated in it years ago.

"When I was a freshman in high school, the freshman football team had to shuck all of the corn," he said. "Now volunteers do it, and it is for a much bigger crowd."

Hodge credits much of the organization of the event to Julie Allen, volunteer extraordinaire.

"She chaired the event for many years and stopped when her daughters went off to college," Hodge said. "Before she left, she created a manual that outlined all of the things that need to be done for the corn boil. It's duct-taped together, but we still use it."

Allen will be co-chairman next year with Hodge since she has a son who will be entering high school.

The Boosters use the money generated from the corn boil to buy equipment for sports teams and for the weight room at the high school.

The real goal of the corn boil is to get people out to the high school and see all that is happening there.

The corn boil takes place from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Dinners include a hot dog or brat, corn, potato salad or coleslaw chips and a drink. Tickets cost $6 for adults, $5 for students and $4 for senior citizens and children.

Plan to head out early and you won't have to stand in line, plus you'll be able to enjoy the music of the marching band if there is short line.

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