Sugar Grove Corn Boil a fun-filled weekend for all

SUGAR GROVE – The Sugar Grove Corn Boil Festival returned to Volunteer Park on July 20, where guests enjoyed movies in the park, carnival rides and festival foods such as popcorn, corn dogs and corn on the cob.

The 53rd Corn Boil began July 20, but organizers said without more volunteers, there may not be a 54th. Despite the future of the event uncertain, volunteers and festivalgoers were optimistic on the first day of this year’s event.

Volunteer Ellen Violet Svehla was working the information booth at the start of the festival and said while they have fewer volunteers than last year, she was excited to be back and hopeful they will find a way to continue the festival for years to come.

“We gotta just do some volunteer enrollment and outreach,” Svehla said. “I’m confident that we will find the person power.”

Corn Boil President Jackie Link was working in the ticket booth on the first day of the fair. She is optimistic it will return next year and is thankful the event has the backing of the village of Sugar Grove and the support of local agencies and businesses.

“I have placed a nice message on our JumboTron looking for supporters and volunteers, so I am very hopeful,” Link said.

The Corn Boil is run entirely by volunteers from the president and organizers down to the corn shuckers. This was Link’s final year as president and she said several other longtime organizers also are retiring.

Link said information on committee positions and other needed volunteers would be posted on the Corn Boil Facebook page.

Meaghan and Paul Konczak of Big Rock said they have been coming to the Corn Boil Festival with their sons Parker, 8, and Ben, 6, for years.

Sad is how Ben said he would feel if the Corn Boil Festival does not return next year, and said he and his dad will volunteer.

Meaghan and Paul said their favorite part is the festival food and the sweet corn and their children love the rides. Parker said his favorite ride is the rockstar. Ben said, “I like the dragon because I pass out on it.”

Alyssa Hurta of Yorkville was with her children Zach, 10, and Ashlyn, 6, enjoying the carnival rides. She said she loves everything about the fair, but her kids’ favorite attraction is always the rides.

The Corn Boil featured a parade July 21 and a VIP Beer Garden, which was new this year.

Bands took the stage nightly throughout the weekend and local businesses and craft vendors were set up July 22 and 23. The Sugar Grove Park District hosted a 5K run/walk July 22.

A fireworks show closed out the entertainment July 22.