Residents Flow Into Sweet Corn Serenade

Dave Dixon (center) enjoys some sweet corn and proves you can eat the traditionally messy food, and still be able to walk away clean

Oskaloosa, Iowa- Despite the weather, the 2011 Sweet Corn Serenade continued on. The weather at this year’s serenade was a little wet but nevertheless, many Oskaloosa residents headed to the town square to take a look at the venders, listen to the music, and to have an ear of corn. Prices rose on corn this year. Despite being 50 cents an ear, many people lined up to get their share of the corn before it ran out. For $3, a resident could get a pork burger and an ear of corn.

Being her first time to actually stop at Sweet Corn Serenade, “The kids absolutely love it. They got to do coloring, they got to do bracelets, fake tattoo’s and they are waiting to go on the inflatables.” Jennifer Playle said of the time her and her kids were having on the square.

Justin Gram caught up with Osky News to show us how they load the machine to cook the sweet corn for the hundreds of hungry Oskaloosans that lined down the street for a few ears of the summer tradition. Even thought it was hot, I asked Justin if he enjoyed helping out, “Yeah, it’s fun” he replied.

Justin Gram was just one of many volunteers to help out during Sweet Corn Serenade

Local resident and lawyer Dave Dixon was proof that you can eat corn on the cob with a tie and dress shirt and walk away without the normal butter stain to the front of your shirt. “I keep trying to get BBQ sauce on it” he said of the real enemy to his shirt during the afternoon. “It’s a great time” Dixon went on to say about the event.

A young Oskaloosa resident Alivia said that her corn was “good” and she enjoys coming up to Sweet Corn Serenade.

Musical guest was Richie Lee & the Fabulous 50’s sponsored by Bank Iowa in Oskaloosa.

Turnout looked pretty light around 4 PM however by 5:00 PM as people were getting off work, the square was beginning to fill up. By 5:30 PM, many residents were already claiming spots in front of the makeshift stage for the band performance later on in the evening. Others were cruising around the square taking a look at the different vendors. With the Presidential Election looming next year, one candidate, Herman Cain, made a brief stop at the serenade before speaking at Smokey Row. Cain greeted various attendees of Sweet Corn Serenade and people running different booths.

Thank you once again to all of the businesses and volunteers who helped make this year’s Sweet Corn Serenade possible!