Eden, N.Y. (WBEN) - It's time to get corn crazy in Eden, as the 58th annual Eden Corn Festival is back for its second year coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Festivities get underway on Thursday, Aug. 4 at 3 p.m. ET with the festival running through Sunday, Aug. 7.
"We're back this year! We did open up last year, but we were a little bit limited in some of our attractions and that type of stuff," says Jeff Winter, President of the Eden Corn Festival. "This year, we're back with a full schedule. This is our 58th year and I think people can expect that we've kind of returned to whatever the new normal is."
Even after facing a drought, the corn-related events are still a full go for the fair this year, "We we work with our local farmers and we stay in touch with them on a regular basis. You know, it's been a very dry year, but most of the local farmers will also tell you they it's easier to add water than it is to take it take it back," Winter says.
All of the Eden Corn Festival staples will be returning at full volume this year, good food, live music, pet shows, a cruise night, a craft show, corn contests, including the cornhole tournament and finally, the return of the Garden Tractor Pull and the parade, which is Sunday at noon.
"Our parade is probably the biggest thing. Last year coming out of COVID, we did not have a parade due to social distancing, but this year our parade is back and right now we've got over 70 units registered for the parade," Winter said.
The Craft Show is back as well with a record number of vendors in addition to the record number of food vendors coming, "I know we've got a record number of crafters coming. We've got a two-day craft show, Saturday and Sunday. I believe we're pushing 200 crafters that will be present," Winter said.
What's new this year at the Corn Festival? Winter tells WBEN that he's very excited to announce the new Eden Corn Festival BBQ Cook-off.
"This year we've got a brand new BBQ Cook-off competition and the details are still actually being worked out. Currently, we've got 10 teams registered. We're going to have some some cooks come in and they're going to start cooking on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. and they've got 24 hours to prepare different dishes and then there'll be judged at 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon," says Winter, who also adds that one of their dishes will have to incorporate corn," said Winter.
There is no admission fee for the Eden Corn Festival. Parking is available for a small fee. The festival is held on 2912 Legion Drive in Eden. Thursday and Friday the festival starts at 3 p.m. ET and ends at 11 p.m. ET. Saturday's festivities start at 12 p.m. ET and end at 11 p.m. ET with Sunday being the last day of the festivities from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
For a full schedule, check out the Eden Corn Festival website here: