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 77th Annual Mendota Sweet Corn Festival will be held Aug. 8-11 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 2024 Sweet Corn Festival Queen, and Andrew Bloomquist will be providing the entertainment in the Beer Garden. Saturday is jam-packed fun, including Carnival Rides, Food Vendors, Craft and Flea Market and Entertainment, along with Valley Katz and Judson Main each 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 2023 winner took home $15, 209!
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 CHET PHILLIPS
Built With Love In Mendota
Your kitchen isn’t just a room in your house. It’s the very heart of your home. A kitchen has to be designed to look good, engineered to last and built to take everything real life can throw at it. It has to be a place you’ll adore—not just the day it’s installed, but for years to come.
At our state-of-the-art production facility in Mendota, we blend the latest automated equipment with exceptional woodworking skills to craft cabinetry, staircases, and railings that are built to last. Rooted in small-town values, we are dedicated to hiring the best talent from across the region to ensure the highest quality in everything we create, right here--in Mendota.
Visit our Mendota showroom at 1605 Division St. in Mendota and discover a kitchen you’ll fall in love with.
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. 8
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.
The Accoustix
Thursday, August 8, Friday, August 9 & Sunday, August 11
“The Accoustix” will be some of the great entertainment to be enjoyed at Mendota’s 77th Annual Sweet Corn Festival. They will have free performances in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent from 5 - 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8 to start the festival, from 2-6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9 and 12 - 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11. Their performances
are courtesy of Mendota businesses Central Bank, Kurt Bruno - State Farm, and Edward Jones.
“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-nroll, pop country, and fun sing along.
Carnival & Midway
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. 8 - 11, 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.
Silvertone Junction performance on the First State Bank Stage. Sponsored by Triple Service.
Magic Matt
All Day Friday, Aug. 9; Saturday, Aug. 10 and Sunday, Aug. 11
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, Aug. 8-11. His performances are sponsored by Schimmer GM and HCC.
M O'Brien, CFP®
P O Box 496 Mendota, IL 61342 815-539-2309
PHOTO SUBMITTED/CHET PHILLIPS
Crafters Market Place & Flea Market
Saturday, Aug. 10 & Sunday, Aug. 11
The Crafters Market Place & Flea Market will be held from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10 and Sunday, Aug. 11. 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, Aug. 10 • 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, Aug. 10 • 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 Prairie State Tractor.
PHOTO SUBMITTED/CHET PHILLIPS
Steve Cerqua
Saturday, August 10 • 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 77th Sweet Corn Festival courtesy of Dr. Tara on Saturday, Aug. 10.
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.
The Valley Katz
Saturday, August 10 • 3:30-6:30 p.m.
The energetic band, “The Valley Katz,” will take to the Beer Garden Stage at 3:30 p.m. Saturday with a rockin’ style you are sure to dig! Their style...Rockabilly/Rock, featuring covers by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Brian Setzer and many more.
This group of very talented veteran musicians include lead singer Gary Masters, playing bass and singing vocals, Rick Topolski, and on guitar and vocals, Pat Egan.
The performance is sponsored by ADM. Everyone bring lawn chairs and enjoy the concert, and if the music will not let you just sit and listen…GET UP AND DANCE!
Mid Lyfe Krysys
Saturday, Aug. 10 •3 - 5 p.m.
Judson Main musical performance in the First State Bank Stage. Sponsored by Praire Land Millwright Inc
PHOTO SUBMITTED/CHET PHILLIPS
Calendar of Events
Thursday, August 8
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM - A Sensory Friendly Afternoon. The Carnival will be open for a private armband for anyone with Special Needs and their immediate family. Please call the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce for more details.
Registration is required to get an idea of how many we should expect: www.sweetcornfestival.com
5:00 PM – 7:00 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
Friday, August 9
10:30 AM - Food Booths featuring festival, ethnic, and regional delights, and a variety of Merchandise Booths, & First State Bank Hospitality Tent open for the day.
Calendar of Events
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM – Good Vibz Entertainment DJ in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent. Sponsored by Expressions Salon
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 Kurt Bruno-State Farm
6:45 PM - Pre-pageant Entertainment featuring Andrew Bloomquist Sponsored by Eureka Savings Bank.
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 Sementales De Nuevo Leon , La Banda Peñasco, Los Ahiados del Barranco ,Los de Oro Sponsored by Diaz Grocery & Euclid Beverage Co.
Calendar of Events
Saturday, August 10
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.
10:30 AM - 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 - Nicodemus musical performance in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent. Sponsored by NICOR
PHOTO SUBMITTED/CHET PHILLIPS
1:00PM - Carnival opens for the day
Calendar of Events
11:30AM - 1:30PM - Steve Cerqua acoustic guitar performance on First State Bank Stage. Sponsored by Dr. Tara VanDeWyngaerde
12:00 PM - 2 PM - Lica Lorraine will be showing off her talents at balloon artistry at the intersection of Washington St. and 8th Avenue. Sponsored by: Becks
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).
12:00/2:00/4:00 PM - 3 Shows - Mr. Steve - includes music, magic, balloons and comedy all blended into wholesome family entertainment. Located on the corner of Illinois Ave. and Jefferson St. Sponsored by McDonalds
NOW HIRING
PHOTO SUBMITTED/CHET PHILLIPS
Calendar of Events
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 Nightengales Thrift Shop.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM –Good Vybz Entertainment DJ Performance in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent. Sponsored by: Fehr Graham
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM –Mid Lyfe Krysys musical performance on the First State Bank Stage. Sponsored by Prairie Land Millwright Inc
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM -Good Vybz Entertainment DJ in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent. Sponsored by: Fehr Graham
3:30 PM – 6:30 PM – Beer Garden featuring Valley Katz. Sponsored by ADM
7:30 PM - 12:00 AM - Beer Garden featuring Judson Main. Sponsored by ADM & G & M Distributors.
ALL DAY - Magic Matt - Performing his Strolling Magic & Balloon Artistry in downtown Mendota. Sponsored by Schimmer GM
Sunday, August 11
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.
10:30 AM - Food Booths featuring festival, ethnic, and regional delights, and a variety of Merchandise Booths, & First State Bank Hospitality Tent open for the day.
PHOTO SUBMITTED/CHET PHILLIPS
1:00 PM - Carnival opens for the day.
Calendar of Events
12:00 AM - 2:00 PM - The Acoustix - performance in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent
12:00 PM - 2 PM - Lica Lorraine 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 Jesse White Tumblers special high-flying performance in front of the Mendota Elks Lodge on Indiana Ave. Sponsored by Nightengales Thrift Shop and Mauch Carpentry.
1:00 PM - SWEET CORN FESTIVAL GRAND PARADE
Featuring floats, bands, antique & classic vehicles, Shriners, and more! Special highlights include The Jesse White Tumblers and The South Shore Drill Team.
2:00 PM - FREE SWEET CORN! finest served steaming hot! Served at the intersection of Illinois Ave & Jefferson St. Sweet Corn is donated by Larry and Beth Gies and grown locally by Country Kids Produce
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - THE Acoustix - performance in the First State Bank Hospitality Tent.
3:30 PM - The South Shore Drill Team will perform in front of the Mendota Elks Lodge at 707 Indiana Ave. You have watched them in the parade, don’t miss this very special performance! Sponsored by: Black Bros. Co., Financial Plus Credit Union, Prescott Brothers Inc., Starved Rock Wood Products.
ALL DAY - Magic Matt - Performing his Strolling Magic & Balloon Artistry in downtown Mendota. Sponsored by HCC and Schimmer GM
