Elkader will soon be knee-high in Sweet Corn Days
By Duane Winn
Register Editor
Fresh sweet corn and fresh entertainment await those who travel to Elkader next week for the annual Sweet Corn Days (July 23-25) celebration.
Fresh sweet corn, a festival staple, will be available Saturday (July 24), beginning at 5 p.m. at the Elkader Fire Station.
However, the festival will offer no fewer than three new events on Saturday and Sunday:
-A kiddie tractor pull, open to children ages 4-11 and sanctioned by the Iowa State Pedal Pull Association, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday (registration is 10:30 a.m.). The winner in each age category will qualify for events sanctioned by the organization.
-The band, 17 Candle, will be making its debut at Elkader Sweet Corn Days. It will be headlining "Cornstock" on Main St. Saturday evening from 8 p.m.-1 a.m.
Sweet Corn Days Committee members said 17 Candle is a coup for the festival since the band has garnered considerable regional, even nationwide attention, for its music which the band describes, on its website, as featuring powerful vocals, melody-laden hooks and heartfelt lyrics driven by colorful guitar licks and infectious beats.
Formed in 2001 on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa, 17 Candle received a huge break earlier this year when it was selected to perform during halftime of the Capitol One Bowl, joining such past limelighters as The Charlie Daniels Band.
The six-piece band features guitarist Beau Timmerman of Strawberry Point.
-On Sunday, the inaugural Worst-Best Shot Doubles Disc Golf Tournament will be held at the Elkader disc golf course at the city park.
The core of the festival returns with such traditional favorites as the ice cream social 5-7 p.m. Thursday in the Peace Church Basement. During the social, the pageant's royalty will be crowned.
Uncle Sam's Band will perform 7-11 p.m. Friday in Keystone Park.
Saturday's festivities will kick off with the "Shred Your Threads" run/walk on the Pony Hollow Trail, followed by such activities as a softball double-elimination tournament, kids games and food vendors, the campground contest, the colorful parade, the turkey float, a magic show and the Brush Creek Canyon Cruise.
David and Becky Wilke were chosen as grand marshals of the parade in recognition of their effort during the flood of 2008.
Posted on July 14, 2010
