Crowds Continue To Grow At Community Events

This young lady enjoyed the fresh roasted sweet corn on Thursday night.

Sweet Corn Serenade enjoys a huge crowd and many compliments.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – It’s one of those events that begins to signal the end of summer. Sweet Corn Serenade is an Oskaloosa tradition that has continued to grow over the years, and is usually the last major event on the downtown square until the Lighted Christmas Parade.

This year has been exceptionally busy around the square in Oskaloosa, and the Oskaloosa Main Street organization has been there with their events, and helping others hold their events downtown.

Karen Hafner is the director for Oskaloosa Main Street, and could be found on the square in Oskaloosa at 6 am Thursday morning, making sure that things went as smoothly as possibly. “It’s been a busy summer”, says Hafner.

All of that activity is “something we wanted to happen”, added Hafner. “To make this a gathering place and a place where people can come and socialize”.

For Hafner, Thursday marked her 10th Sweet Corn Serenade and the event has slowly evolved.

For the second year in a row, the Mahaska County Farm Bureau brought some animals for horse rides, piglets to squeeze, along with some equipment.

The number of vendors has increased over time as well. Hafner remembers an initial 15 or so vendors, which has now grown to over 30.

The weather was nearly perfect for the evening, and Hafner’s not afraid to tell you that she “made the call”, as she gives you that famous laugh.

“I think for me, this is my favorite”, says Hafner. “I love lighted Christmas parade, because I’m a Christmas freak. I like this because it’s community”.