Cornfest a celebration of volunteerism

It is always Mother Nature who decides when the delicious corn crop hits the stand that Taber’s beloved free festival is named after.

There have been some concerns this year with an abundance of hail, but the crop persevered and was on the streets in early August.

If weather patterns hold, families will have to put on plenty of sunscreen while eating their beloved corn at Cornfest which begins officially on Aug. 25 with the Cornfest Parade starting at 4 p.m. and the midway across from Confederation Park, in the Taber Community Centre parking lot.

It marks the beginning of one of North America’s largest free festivals.
What was once a celebration for simply paving the downtown business sector streets, has evolved into a four-day celebration, that people would have to pay a hefty entry fee for elsewhere.

Bouncy castles, chili cook-offs, cornbread contests, corn stuffing, a show and shine, skateboard contest, arts and crafts, pancake breakfast, a Bull-a-Rama and numerous music stage entertainers are but a few of the many things spectators will get to enjoy in their fun-filled Cornfest weekend.

A break-even proposition by a group of dedicated volunteers, who canvass a supportive business community for donations, the committee has been ever vigilant to make sure that the 31st anniversary of Cornfest will be one to be remembered.

Beyond the corporate donations are the volunteer donations of sweat equity, as countless people donate their time to make sure families enjoy their Cornfest properly.

As the saying goes for Cornfest, ‘Come for the corn, stay for the fun,’ and rest assured families will be staying for a very long time with the fun they will be having.

But while we will tell the stories of what is going on at Confederation Park and beyond, it comes back again to all the volunteers that make it happen.

Making something free does not happen by itself, so while you go out there and enjoy Cornfest 2016, make sure you give a hearty handshake to a volunteer you may see on the grounds or stop by one of the many business sponsors and access their services. This event would be impossible without them.

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