MENDOTA — The 79th annual Mendota Sweet Corn Festival kicks off tonight in downtown Mendota with the start of four days of family activities, carnival rides, live entertainment, food vendors, a craft and vendor show, the Sweet Corn Queen Pageant, a parade, and the festival’s signature free sweet corn served Sunday at 2 p.m. using a vintage steam engine. Admission and parking are free, with charges only for carnival rides, food purchases, and the beer garden. Festival visitors can also check out two new downtown murals and several new businesses that have opened since last year’s event.
“We just got two incredible new murals. They’re both of native wildlife of the area,” said Madeline Piller, president and CEO of the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce. “We wanted to bring some nature into downtown and really brighten up the space. So this year, as you’re going to the Sweet Corn Festival, you can see all the beautification that we’ve been working on.”
The festival continues through Sunday, when the annual parade and free steamed sweet corn highlight the final day.
