The Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce, along with the City of Mendota, would like to cordially invite you to join us for three and a half days of good clean fun.
Our 79th Annual Mendota Sweet Corn Festival will be held August 6-9th in downtown Mendota. Come enjoy the carnival, queen contest, live music, and free CORN that will be happening throughout the weekend.
Thursday evening kicks off our festival entertainments schedule with Live performances, carnival rides, and food vendors. Friday, the 2026 Sweet Corn Queen will be chosen to reign over the weekend festivities, and the Friday Night Beer Garden brings festive live music to the streets until midnight. On Saturday the fun continues with the Annual Craft and Flea Market, free facepainting, the Sweet Corn Food Contest, and culminates with a dazzling show at the Saturday Night Beer Garden.
Sunday is the biggest day of the festival, thanks to our incredible Grand Parade at 1pm, followed by tons and tons of FREE SWEET CORN given out at 2pm. The last event of the weekend is our Annual 50/50 Drawing. Ticket sales end at 4pm and the BIG WINNER is drawn at 5pm - last year’s winner took home $10,797!
We are excited as always to welcome our thousands of visitors to the World’s Greatest Little City. Thank you for being a part of our celebration.
Madeline Piller President & CEO Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce
COVER PHOTO BY CHET PHILLIPS
Sensory Friendly Afternoon
Thursday, August 6 • 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, Aug. 6 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.
Carnival & Midway
Thursday - Sunday • August 6 - 9
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 Aug. 6 - 9, 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:
Thursday: 6 - 10 p.m. - $30
Friday & Saturday: 1 - 5 p.m. – $30
Friday & Saturday: 6 - 10 p.m. – $35
Sunday: 1 - 6 p.m. - $30
Thank You
Advanced Drainage Systems, Eureka Savings Bank, Financial Plus Credit Union, HCC, Inc., Highsmith Haulaway, Nicor Gas, OSF Healthcare, Rincon Family Services, ADM, Barkman Concrete, Prairie Land Millwright, Inc., Sullivans Foods, 4M Graphix, First State Bank, Inked Maiden Books, Levitt Family Foundation, Midland States Bank, Northern Partners Co-Op, Black Brothers Company, Prescott Bros., Inc., Triple Service Plumbing, H.C., Westside Family Dental, Basil Construction, City of Mendota, Faber Depot General Store, Schimmer GM, Nightengales Thrift, Plano Powered by Pure Fishing, Ziggies Family Restaurant, Boelk Trucking, Mendota Chamber of Commerce, Country Kids Produce, Euclid Beverage, G&M Distributors, LaSalle County Tourism, Windy City Amusements
Barkman Concrete Construction Inc., Beck’s, China House of Mendota, Mendota Shell/Johnson Oil, Ridley Feed Ingredients, UAW Local 904, Pizzas by Marchelloni Attorney David Kaleel, Central Bank Illinois, Kurt Bruno State Farm Ins., MCS Advertising, Mendota Community Theater, Mendota Mutual Insurance, Shaw Media, Surf Internet, Tara VanDeWyngaerde OD, United Rentals, ComEd, El Zarape.
PHOTO SUBMITTED/CHET PHILLIPS
Thursday, August 6th from 6 - 8 p.m. The Acoustix are live in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent for your listening pleasure. The Acoustix will be performing at this location also on Friday, August 7th from 2 - 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 - 4 p.m. Their specialty is easy going rock, pop, and country that is fun to sing along to!
From 7 -9 p.m. The Silvertone Saints are on the First State Bank Stage. Silvertone Saints specializes in acoustic reimagining of classics and crowd-pleasing rock and country favorites.
Live Entertainment
to right: Abby, Janet, Chris, Noah, Luke, Nathan, Brock
Queen Pageant
Friday, August 7th is the night that we crown our Royalty for the Weekend! The Mendota Sweet Corn Queen Pageant begins with Pre-pageant entertainment by the Mendota High School Band. Ten lovely young women will represent our home town on the stage, and we could not be more proud. Prepageant entertainment starts at 6:45 p.m., and the pageant kicks off at 7:30 p.m.! Who will wear the Crown?
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PHOTO SUBMITTED/CHET
Friday Night Beer Garden
Friday, August 7th La Bandas Night returns for another great year at the Friday Night Beer Garden! Entertainment will be provided by Estilo Cadete, Sangre Alterada and Banda Perla Bonita from 7:00 p.m. until Midnight. All three music groups blend authentic Mexican stylings with a modern twist!
Crafters Market Place & Flea Market
The Crafters Market Place & Flea Market will be held from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8 and Sunday, Aug. 9. 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.
Pickleball Tournament
The Pickleball Tournament is hosted at the courts on Lake Mendota. Forms are required, please download your form at www.sweetcornfestival.com
PHOTO SUBMITTED/CHET PHILLIPS
Mini
Pageant & Entertainment
Saturday, August 8th Sweet Corn Mini King & Queen will be crowned on the First State Bank Stage at 10 a.m. From 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. The Phenom will be delivering your favorite DJ Hits in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent, and Steve Cerqua will perform live acoustic guitar on the First State Bank Stage 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Private Recreational Camp Resort So Much to See. So Much to Do.
Hiking Trails. Woodlands. Nature. Lakes. WiFi. Pools. Crafts. Movies. Fitness Center. Prairie. Deer. Pavilions. Arcade. Mini Golf. Day Camp. Tennis. Basketball. Live Music. Theme Activities. Fireworks. Painting Parties. Open Markets. Social Events. Volleyball. And so much more!
PHOTO SUBMITTED/CHET PHILLIPS
Saturday, August 8th, 12 - 3 p.m. free Facepainting is available downtown by Wild Style Design Company to transform you into a creature of your imagining!
At 2:00 p.m. the Annual Sweet Corn Food Contest takes place in the Mendota Elks Club. Sweet Corn based delicacies are brought in to be judged by the 2026 Queen to win Best in Show! Download the registration form at www.sweetcornfestival.com.
From 2 - 4 p.m. Les Crumb performs live music in the First State Bank Hospitality tent, and Mid Lyfe Krysys will perform on the First State Bank Stage from 3 - 5 p.m.
PHOTO SUBMITTED/CHET PHILLIPS
MCT Sweet Variety Show
Mendota Community Theater invites you to check out our local talent from 5 - 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 8th on the First State Bank Stage. Bands, dancer, magic - everything you expect from a great variety show will be on offer!
Saturday Night Beer Garden
Saturday, August 8th: 7:30 - Midnight
The Saturday Night Beer Garden brings friends, fun, and music to enjoy. The Phenom will open the evening with your DJ favorites to warm you up for Libido Funk Circus! Libido Funk Circus brings an exciting show of a variety of music built to entertain and get you in the party mood!
612 S. Main Street Mendota, IL 61342 mcrlty62@gmail.com
Sunday, August 9th
Jason Kollum and his Incredible Bubbles will be downtown from 10 - 11:30 a.m. to entertain for our Craft and Vendor Market area, creating astonishing bubble fun for all ages! Jason will continue to entertain strolling through the Grand Parade as well.
From 12 - 2 p.m. Ms. Twisty Pants returns to twist like we did last summer on the corner of Washington and 8th street, crafting balloon characters for your enjoyment.
Sunday Kids Entertainment
FREE SWEET CORN!
Sunday, August 9 • 2 p.m.
Free Sweet Corn will be offered at 2 p.m. on the corner of Illinois Ave & Jefferson St. We steam cook all of our fresh sweet corn from Country Kids the old fashioned way — by utilizing the power of the Steam Engine. Hundreds of patrons line the street to wait for this Midwestern treat, like our name suggests — we love Sweet Corn! See the steam engine and our incredible volunteers at work during this annual tradition! Thank you to everyone who makes this giant undertaking possible.
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PHOTO SUBMITTED/CHET PHILLIPS
Calendar of Events
Thursday, August 6
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. We will be joined by Ms. Twisty Pants crafting balloon art. Preregistration required: www.sweetcornfestival.com
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM - The Acoustix - Performance in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent. Sponsored by Kurt Bruno State Farm Insurance
6:00 PM - Carnival Midway & Food Booths Open - Carnival and Midway open to the general public.
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM - Silvertone Saints - Performance on the First State Bank Stage. Sponsored by Triple Service Inc.
more information, contact your Edward Jones Financial Advisor.
Enjoy the Sweet Corn Festival!
Calendar of Events
Friday, August 7
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM - Charles Van Horn Entertainment Karaoke in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent. Sponsored by Pizzas by Marchelloni’s.
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.
1:00 PM - Carnival opens for the day
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM - The Acoustix - performance in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent. Sponsored by Mendota Mutual Insurance and Central Bank Illinois.
6:45 PM - Pre-pageant Entertainment featuring Mendota High School Jazz Choir - Performance on the First State Bank Stage. Sponsored by Faber Depot General Store and Midland States Bank
7:00 PM - 12:00 AM - Beer Garden on Main St featuring entertainment from Estilo Cadete, Sangre Alterada and Banda Perla Bonita. Sponsored by Financial Plus Credit Union, Rincon Family Services, Euclid Beverage LLC, Schimmer Chevrolet, the Levitt Foundation, and the efforts of Mendota patrons.
7:30 PM - Sweet Corn Queen Pageant on the First State Bank Stage on Rt. 34 downtown with intermission entertainment featuring Mendota High School Jazz Choir. Pageant Sponsored by Eureka Savings Bank. Stage Sponsored by First State Bank.
PHOTO SUBMITTED/CHET PHILLIPS
Calendar of Events
Saturday, August 8
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 St. Paul
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 Powered by Pure Fishing
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM - The Phenom musical performance in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent. Sponsored by Barkman Concrete Construction, INC.
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM - Steve Cerqua musical performance on the First State Bank Stage. Sponsored by Tara N. Van De Wyngaerde, O.D., P.C.
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
1:00 PM - Carnival opens for the day
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
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 or www.sweetcornfestival.com. Sponsored by 4M Graphix
Enjoy the Sweet Corn Festival!
14th Ave., Mendota
Calendar of Events
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Les Crum musical performance in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent. Sponsored by MCS Advertising and Shaw Local Media
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Mid Lyfe Krysys musical performance on the First State Bank Stage. Sponsored by UAW Local 904
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM - The Phenom in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent. Sponsored by China House of Mendota
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM - Mendota Community Theater presents the “Sweet Variety Show” on the First State Bank Stage. Sponsored by Mendota Community Theater
7:30 PM - 12:00 AM - Beer Garden on Main St featuring The Phenom and Libido Funk Circus. Sponsored by Nicor Gas, Prairie Land Millwright Inc, G&M Distributors, Prescott Brothers of Mendota, the Levitt Grant, and Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM)
Sunday, August 9
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.
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM - Jason Kollum Bubble Entertainment near the corner of Illinois Ave & Jefferson St, then strolling the parade route. Sponsored by HCC, Inc
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 PM - Ms. Twisty Pants will be showing off her talents at balloon artistry at the intersection of Washington St. and 8th Avenue. Sponsored by Beck’s
Calendar of Events
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM - The Acoustix - performance in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent. Sponsored by Attorney David M. Kaleel
1:00 PM - 5:00 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! Sponsored by Surf Internet, Mendota Shell/Johnson Oil, Ridley Feed Ingredients, Northern Partners Cooperative, Inked Maiden Books, and Black Brothers Co.
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. Sponsored by Nightengale’s Thrift Store, Country Kids, Sullivan’s Foods of Mendota, and Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce
4:00 PM - 50/50! All 50/50 ticket sales end at 4pm on Sunday, August 9th! The 50/50 drawing will take place at 5pm – cheers to the lucky winner!
Special Thank Yous:
Thank you to the following sponsors and partners for assistance in Sanitation, Labor, Safety, and Advertising: United Rentals, Highsmith Haul Away LLC, Windy City Amusements, Westside Family Dental, Ziggies Family Restaurant, Basil Construction, and The City of Mendota Illinois.
