The Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce, along with the City of Mendota, would like to invite you to join us for three and a half days of fun.
Our 78th Annual Mendota Sweet Corn Festival will be held August 7-10 in downtown Mendota. Come enjoy the carnival, food and fun that will be happening throughout the weekend.
Thursday evening kicks off with entertainment by Silvertone Junction. Friday will bring the reign of the 2025 Sweet Corn Festival Queen, and Andrew Bloomquist will be providing the entertainment after the pageant. Saturday is jam-packed fun, including Carnival Rides, Food Vendors, Craft and Flea Market and Entertainment, along with Abbynormal rocking in the Beer Garden. Sunday offers a Grand Parade at 1 p.m. and free hot, delicious sweet corn starting at 2 p.m.
Remember to buy your 50/50 tickets throughout the weekend. The 2024 winner took home $14,760!
So, pack up the car and bring your family and friends to Mendota for a fantastic event! Thank you for your support!
Sam Setchell Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO
COVER PHOTO BY SHAW MEDIA
Sensory Friendly Afternoon
Thursday, August 7 • 3 - 5 p.m.
Windy City Amusements of St. Charles, Illinois will again be setting up on the midway at this year’s Mendota Sweet Corn Festival. They will be having a Sensory Friendly Afternoon on Thursday, August 7 from 3 - 5 p.m.
Most adult rides will be unavailable during this special time and the lights will be dimmed and music lowered for those who would be uncomfortable with it.
Joining with our friends and neighbors to celebrate Mendota Sweet Corn Festival
We’re proud to celebrate what’s great about our community. Join us.
For more information, contact your Edward Jones
Edward Jones cannot accept gift cards, cash or checks as donations.
Will McLachlan
Neal M O’Brien
Clint M O’Brien
Luke O’Brien
SUBMITTED PHOTO
The Accoustix
Thursday, August 7, Friday, August 8 & Sunday, August 10
“The Accoustix” will be some of the great entertainment to be enjoyed at Mendota’s 78th Annual Sweet Corn Festival. They will have free performances in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent from 5 - 7 p.m. Thursday, August 7 to start the festival, from 2 - 6 p.m. Friday, August 8 and 12 - 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 10. Their performances are courtesy
of Mendota businesses Central Bank, Kurt Bruno - State Farm, Attorney Dave Kaleel, and First Federal Savings Bank.
“The Accoustix,” Iggy Campos and John Kolat hale from Sandwich, IL and are an acoustic guitar duo. Both sing and play the guitar. Their genre is a mix of good old classic rock-n-roll, pop country, and fun sing along.
Carnival &
Midway
Thursday - Sunday • August 7 - 10
Windy City Amusements of St. Charles will be setting up on the midway again this year at Mendota’s Annual Sweet Corn Festival.
Not only will the carnival be bringing exciting rides to Mendota but is offering a host of special promotions. The popular Mega Pass will be offered
again this year. The Mega Pass will let you ride everyday August 7 - 10, as many rides as you want, as many times as you want. The price will be $100 and will be available at the carnival ticket booth.
There will still be Regular Unlimited Ride Armbands available:
Silvertone Junction performance on the First State Bank Stage. Sponsored by Triple
Magic Matt
Strolling the Sweet Corn Festival Midways will be Magician and Balloon Artist, Matthew Scherer.
Magic Matt has been entertaining in the Chicago Area and Midwest Region for more than 30 years, presenting his family fun shows and close-up magic.
He has been featured at Brookfield
Zoo’s Holiday Magic Festival, the Illinois State Fair and many more festivals and family-oriented events.
Magic Matt will be found delighting audiences all day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Sweet Corn Festival Weekend, August 8 - 10. His performances are sponsored by HCC and Balanced Family Chiropractic.
PHOTO SUBMITTED/CHET PHILLIPS
Crafters Market Place & Flea Market
Saturday, August 9 & Sunday, August 10
The Crafters Market Place & Flea Market will be held from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10. Vendors are in two locations - Veteran’s Park on Rt. 34 in downtown Mendota and the Elks Club parking lot on Indiana Ave. & Jefferson St., just 1/2 block north of Veteran’s Park.
Mini Royalty Pageant
Saturday, August 9 • 10 a.m.
Five-year-olds competing to wear the crown of Mini King & Queen of Mendota’s Annual Sweet Corn Festival on the First State Bank Stage on Rt. 34 downtown. The pageant is sponsored by Plano Molding Company. Powered by Pure Fishing.
Nicodemus
Saturday, August 9 • 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Playing rocking hits from the 70s and 80s. Nicodemus musical performance will be in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent. It is sponsored by Mauch Carpentry.
PHOTO SUBMITTED/CHET PHILLIPS
Steve Cerqua
Saturday, August 9 • 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Steve Cerqua has been performing in the Illinois Valley for over 25 years.
He will be appearing at Mendota’s 78th Sweet Corn Festival courtesy of Dr. Tara on Saturday, August 9. Steve will be covering some great blues legends such as Big Bill Broonzy and Robert Johnson. You
may also hear some Eric Clapton hits from this talented vocalist and guitarist.
Cerqua will perform from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on the First State Bank Stage. Dr. Tara invites everyone to enjoy the sounds of blues and much more on Sweet Corn Festival Saturday in downtown Mendota.
Mid Lyfe Krysys
Saturday, August 9 •3 - 5 p.m.
Mid
Annual Sweet Corn Festival Food Contest
Saturday, August 9 • 2 p.m.
All categories of food must be made with sweet corn and prepared in advance. Judging will be held at 2 p.m. in the Mendota Elks Lodge, 707 Indiana
Ave. downtown. Entry forms are available at the Mendota Chamber Office. Sponsored by 4M Graphix.
PHOTO SUBMITTED/CHET PHILLIPS
Lyfe Krysys musical performance in the First State Bank Stage. Sponsored by Shaw Local Radio.
Enjoy the Sweet Corn Festival!
Calendar of Events
August 7
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM – A Sensory Friendly Afternoon. The Carnival will be open for a private armband for anyone with sensory needs and their immediate family. Please call the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce for more details. Registration is required before July 28th www.sweetcornfestival.com
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM – The Acoustix – Performance in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent. Sponsored by Central Bank Illinois.
6:00 PM – Carnival Midway & Food Booths Open - Carnival and Midway open to the general public. (Discount ride armband from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
7:00 PM – Silvertone Junction performance on the First State Bank Stage. Sponsored by Triple Service
PHOTOS SUBMITTED/CHET PHILLIPS
Friday, August 8
Calendar of Events
12:00 PM – Food Booths featuring festival, ethnic, and regional delights, and a variety of Merchandise Booths, & First State Bank Hospitality Tent open for the day.
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM – Charles VanHorn Entertainment Karaoke in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent.
1:00 PM – Carnival opens for the day
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM – The Acoustix - performance in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent. Sponsored by Attorney Dave Kaleel
6:45 PM – Pre-pageant Entertainment featuring Andrew Bloomquist Sponsored by Eureka Savings Bank.
PHOTOS SUBMITTED/CHET PHILLIPS
Calendar of Events
7:30 PM - Sweet Corn Queen Pageant on the First State Bank Stage on Rt. 34 downtown with intermission entertainment featuring Andrew Bloomquist Sponsored by Eureka Savings Bank.
7:30 PM - 12:00 AM – Beer Garden featuring entertainment from Los Ahijados del Barranco and Banda Nuestra Tierra Sponsored by Advance Auto Sales, Falcon Landscaping and Lawn Care, Financial Plus Credit Union, Mendota Mutual, RSG Millwright, Schimmer GM & Euclid Beverage Co.
ALL DAY – Magic Matt - Performing his Strolling Magic & Balloon Artistry in downtown Mendota. Sponsored by HCC
Saturday, August 9
9:00 AM – Sweet Corn Festival Pickleball Tournament. Registration is required. Forms are available at the Mendota Area YMCA or at sweetcornfestival.com. Sponsored by OSF Healthcare, BSquared, and Mendota Area YMCA
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM – Crafters Market Place & Flea Market. Vendors are in two locations. Veteran’s Park on Rt. 34 in downtown Mendota and the Elks Club parking lot on Indiana Ave. & Jefferson St., just 1/2 block north of Veteran’s Park.
10:00 AM – Mini Royalty Pageant 5-year-olds competing to wear the crown of Mini King & Queen of Mendota’s Annual Sweet Corn Festival, on the First State Bank Stage on Rt. 34 downtown. Sponsored by Plano Molding Company/Pure Fishing.
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM – Nicodemus musical performance in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent. Sponsored by Mauch Carpentry
PROUDLY MANUFACTURED IN MENDOTA, IL
PHOTOS SUBMITTED/CHET PHILLIPS
Calendar of Events
12:00 PM – Food Booths, featuring festival, ethnic, and regional delights, and a variety of Merchandise Booths, & First State Bank Hospitality Tent open for the day
1:00PM – Carnival opens for the day
11:30AM - 1:30PM – Steve Cerqua acoustic guitar performance on First State Bank Stage. Sponsored by Dr. Tara VanDeWyngaerde
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM – Free Face Painting Professional artists will be available to transform you into your favorite animal or superhero for the day. Near the corner of Washington St. & Indiana Ave. Sponsored by Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS).
2:00 PM – Annual Sweet Corn Festival Food Contest. All categories of food must be made with sweet corn and prepared in advance. Judging will be held at 2:00 PM in the Mendota Elks Lodge, 707 Indiana Ave. downtown. Entry forms are available at the Mendota Chamber Office Sponsored by 4M Graphix
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM – DJ FAMOU5 in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent.
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM – Mid Lyfe Krysys musical performance on the First State Bank Stage. Sponsored by Shaw Local Radio
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM – The Phenom in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent.
THE ORIGINAL TAX EXPERTS.
7:30 PM - 12:00 AM – Beer Garden featuring Abbynormal. Sponsored by Leeward Energy, Prescott Brothers, Prairieland Millwrights & G & M Distributors.
ALL DAY – Magic Matt - Performing his Strolling Magic & Balloon Artistry in downtown Mendota. Sponsored by Balanced Family Chiropractic
Calendar of Events
Sunday, August 10
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM – Crafters Market Place & Flea Market. Over 200 vendors in two locations. Veteran’s Park on Rt. 34 in downtown Mendota and the Elks Club parking lot on Indiana Ave. & Jefferson St., just 1/2 block north of Veteran’s Park.
12:00 PM – Food Booths featuring festival, ethnic, and regional delights, and a variety of Merchandise Booths, & First State Bank Hospitality Tent open for the day.
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM – The Acoustix - performance in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent Sponsored by First Federal Savings Bank.
12:00 PM - 2 PM – Ms. Twisty Pants will be showing off her talents at balloon artistry at the intersection of Washington St. and 8th Avenue Sponsored by Becks
12:00 PM – The Illinois Valley Tumblers special high-flying performance in front of the Mendota Elks Lodge on Indiana Ave. Sponsored by Nightengales Thrift Shop
1:00 PM – Carnival opens for the day
1:00 PM – SWEET CORN FESTIVAL GRAND PARADE
A mile long parade with more than 100 entries featuring floats, entertainment, antique & classic vehicles, Shriners, and more!
2:00 PM – FREE SWEET CORN! Locally grown sweet corn from Country Kids served steaming hot! Served at the intersection of Illinois Ave & Jefferson St.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM – The Acoustix - performance in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent. Sponsored by Kurt Bruno State Farm
ALL DAY – Magic Matt - Performing his Strolling Magic & Balloon Artistry in downtown Mendota. Sponsored by HCC and Balanced Family Chiropractic
