by Lorraine Payette, written August 20, 2013
(ATHENS, ONTARIO) There’s something special about holding an event for 33 years, and Athens went all out as they held their annual CornFest on August 17.
“Athens’ Cornfest is an annual village festival, marking its 33rd year in 2013, that allows you to be welcomed into the heart of village life,” says the committee. “A few of the many features included live music all day long and fresh buttered corn made using power from an old fashioned steam engine.”
Starting at 9:30 a.m. and running all day, the free event allows everyone to appreciate not only the village itself, but the surrounding farms and all they achieve. Without agriculture, there would be no food, and especially no corn.
“I grew up in a small community in northern Ontario so I understand how important events like Cornfest are to the local economy,” said Hendrik Pape, 2012 Athens Cornfest Chair. “Cornfest is a community event and in order for it to be a success, it needs the community to work together.”
And work together they did to provide a day filled with live entertainment, information booths and vendors. Antique cars were on display, as well as several boats and different agricultural equipment related to harvesting corn. The parade and Beautiful Baby competition were huge hits, and who could resist the just picked, fresh cooked corn prepared for the community by Rupe Green and his steam engine.
Green is 91 and considering retiring from the event, but he was out one more time to run the machine. It has been in his family since it was bought new and has always been perfectly maintained. He has been working with it for 80 years, steaming top local corn to the perfect point for eating, and he continues to provide only the best.
Area musicians played, and chalk artist David Day came out to do his rendition of The Last Supper on the main street. Elsewhere, a large chalked version of “Snakes and Ladders”, officially re-coined as “Corn and Silos” was drawn up by Sara Baker to keep kids of all ages having a great time.
DisplaysTo learn more about the CornFest or to volunteer or sponsor for next year, please go to http://www.athenscornfest.ca or e-mail them at cornfestchair@athenscornfest.ca , volunteers@athenscornfest.ca or sponsorship@athenscornfest.ca .
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