Chatham’s Sweet Corn Festival Celebrates 50 Years of Music, Food, and Fun
CHATHAM, IL — A summertime favorite in central Illinois is celebrating a major milestone this weekend as the Chatham Sweet Corn Festival marks its 50th year of serving smiles, music, and thousands of ears of delicious corn on the cob. The beloved event returns Friday, July 26, and Saturday, July 27, bringing two days of family-friendly fun and community spirit.
The golden celebration kicks off Friday at 4:30 p.m. with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony and recognition of past event chairs. From there, the festivities heat up with the Little Miss Sweet Corn pageant, kids’ games, and more than 70 local vendors.
And, of course, what would the festival be without the star of the show? More than 20,000 ears of sweet corn will be shucked, steamed, and served — a true Chatham tradition. Source: Illinois Times – Sweet Corn Festival Feature
Live Music and Local Flavor
This year’s entertainment lineup is packed with high-energy performances from regional favorites, including:
- Blue Sky Revival
- Captain Geech & the Shrimp Shack Shooters
- Griffin Fenoglio (Friday night)
- Slidin’ By, Soul Experience, UNCHAiNED, Deja Voodoo, and more (Saturday)
Music begins Friday evening and runs through 11:30 p.m., with a full Saturday schedule picking up again the next morning.
Saturday: Races, Tournaments, and Flying Cow Chips
Saturday’s activities begin bright and early at 7:30 a.m. with the Sweet Corn Festival 5K. Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy:
- The “SweetCornhole” tournament
- A fundraiser for the Special Olympics
- A thrilling ancient athletics competition
- And the fan-favorite Illinois Championship Cow Chip Throw at 2:00 p.m.
Yes, you read that right — cow chips will fly in friendly competition. Festivalgoers are welcome to participate in this signature event or simply cheer from the sidelines.
Want to Get Involved? Help Shuck!
If you’d like to be part of the action, join the corn shucking crew at 5 p.m. Thursday evening at the park. It’s a fun way to contribute to one of Illinois’ tastiest traditions.
50 Years Strong — And Still Growing
As one of Illinois’ most enduring local festivals, the Chatham Sweet Corn Festival has brought generations together for music, memories, and more corn than you can count. Whether you’re in it for the food, the fun, or the fantastic community vibes, this year’s golden anniversary promises something special for everyone.