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Cornfest fun: Event celebrates 51st year

DARIEN — Darien residents for 51 years have enjoyed the weekend-long party better known as Cornfest.

It’s a party in the best sense of the word—an event featuring family activities, friendly competition, a measure of silliness, and, of course, plenty of sweet corn.

This year’s event, which runs from Friday to Sunday, will be no different.

The band 1969 will be playing hits from the late 1960s on Friday night, starting at 8 p.m. Friday’s events also include fireworks at dusk.

On Sunday, along with the usual events, a tribute to those lost in 9/11 will take place at the fire department. Firefighters, police officers, members of the American Legion, emergency services personnel and Scout groups will form a color guard.

The Janesville Fife and Drum Corp will be playing patriotic music, and vocalist Michael Claridge will be singing “We the People.”

All events other Cornfest events will stop from noon to 12:15 p.m. on Sunday.

“We wanted to do something to honor the victims of 9/11,” said Karen Hamam.

Sunday also is the Liberty Bike Ride and Cornfest parade.

The Liberty Bike Ride features motorcyclists riding to acknowledge the men and women who have died in service to their country. Most of the bikes are decorated with patriotic themes. The Cornfest parade follows at 1 p.m.

CORNFEST DETAILS

The Darien Cornfest will be at the city fire station, 311 W. Madison St., and Darien West Park off Highway 14. Softball, volleyball and horseshoe tournaments will be held throughout the weekend.

The crafts and merchandise sale, the carnival and bingo start at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Friday

6 p.m.: Princess Pageant, fire station.

7 p.m.: Sharon versus Darien firefighters softball game.

7 p.m.: Hammerschlagen, corn barn entrance.

8 p.m.: 1969. Band performing hits from the late 1960s.

Dark: Fireworks over ball diamond No. 3.

Saturday

1 p.m.: Punt, pass and kick competition.

4 p.m.: Corn eating contest.

4:30 p.m.: Milk chugging contest.

5 p.m.: Walworth County Cloggers.

6 p.m.: Hammerschlagen.

Sunday

Noon: Ceremony honoring the victims of 9/11, fire station.

12:15 p.m.: Liberty bike ride on the parade route. Military veterans riding decorated motorcycles will offer tribute to men and women lost in action. The parade route starts on East Beloit Street, goes north on Washington Street and then west on West Madison Street.

1 p.m.: Cornfest parade.

2 p.m.: Corn hole tournament.

4 p.m.: Cornfest auction.