Credit: Phil Roeder, Flickr
Without question, the Urbana Sweetcorn Festival is a McMillan family favorite.
These are just a few of the features that set it apart from other summer festivals: the streets of downtown Urbana are blocked off for the event (there’s something electrifying about literally partying in the street); its end-of-August timing means that the sun shining on your shoulders is usually of the friendly, not blistering, variety; adults are trusted to enjoy the festivities with an adult beverage in hand; and, of course, its main focus is a crop near and dear to the hearts of Illinoisans. Have you ever tried living some place where you can’t watch corn grow? It’s hard, man.
If you’re planning on taking your family to the festival this year, here’s what you need to know:
Food/beverage: Some local restaurants set up booths at the festival, as do vendors from farther away (think fair food). Tickets good for everything from food and drink–beer included–to inflatable attractions for kids are sold for $1 per ticket. Ticket prices vary widely per item.
Though refreshments always seem to be a bit pricey at events such as this, the food is of the worth-every-calorie type. Also, the Sweetcorn Festival offers its feature dish for only one ticket an ear, and Illinois American Water Co. will have a truck dispensing cold water for free.
Activities: New this year are activity wristbands, which will cost $20 for unlimited turns on a dozen different inflatables, and one time each through laser tag, jousting, the rock wall, and the mechanical bull.
A petting zoo featuring kangaroos, a camel, and assorted barnyard critters will be set up for the duration of the event as well. Petting costs one ticket, and feeding the animals costs an additional ticket.
A touch-a-truck event will be held on Race St. on Friday the 24th from 6-8 p.m., and vintage service vehicles (such as a bus and a working popcorn truck) will be on display at the Motor Muster Car Show on Saturday.
Additional free family activites–including concerts–will take place at different times throughout the event.
Getting around. Parking is available for free in the Lincoln Square Mall parking lot, and for free on Saturday (a fee applies on Friday) in the downtown Urbana parking garage. Street parking–wherever you can find it–is also free.
New this year will be a tent for breastfeeding mothers. In an effort to make moms and babies more comfortable, it will feature chairs and fans so that nursing can take place in a cool, comfortable environment.
What’s your favorite way to do the Urbana Sweetcorn Festival? Tell us in the comments.
Rachael McMillan teaches sixth- and seventh-grade history at Campus Middle School for girls. She also tutors at The Reading Group and serves as the education coordinator for Ten Thousand Villages, a fair trade retailer in downtown Champaign. She is totally in love with her Chambana life, which she shares with husband Scott, second grader Jack, first grader Kate, and a soon-to-be-born baby boy her kids have named Bob.
What are the hours for the weekend?
Yikes–forgot to put that! 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday.
I have to say I am offended by the tent for musing moms. Why not for all moms that are feeding infants. I am adopting a baby. I can not nurse but it would be nice to include us in the invite for a comfortable place to feed too.
Rachael, thanks for the great write up. It sounds like it will be lots of fun and busy!
Krissy, I am the employee from CU Public Health in charge of the breastfeeding table. The table is not meant to offend or leave ANY mom and baby out. You are more than welcome to enjoy the fans to feed your infant. We focused the tent on breastfeeding because August is World Breastfeeding Month and because I was a nursing mom who had to nurse her baby last year standing up. Because of the heat, I also had to expose myself a little more than I typically would. As you can imagine, if simple having a breastfeeding tent offends, exposing my breast was not a hit either. Since I was so uncomfortable, I decided this year I would set up a table for other moms who may have experienced the same discomfort. Just because your adopting, does not mean you can not breastfeed. I would be happy to provide you with information on how to lactate. Again, you are welcome to enjoy our tent. If you have any question, please feel free to email me at lgholson@c-uphd.org
Linda, it was great meeting you during setup for the Urbana Sweetcorn Festival today. We are excited to be face painting right next door to your booth! For anyone looking for the Breast Feeding booth, it is directly in front of the Inflatables / Bouncy Castles for the kiddos. Its going to be an awesome time tonight and tomorrow!
Linda- thank you for the information. I just tend to hear so much about nursing lately and the mothers who can not seem to be left out.
Because I am adopting through foster care I am not able to breasfeed. His biological mother has not had her rights terminated. He is already 3 months old and no progress has been made so he will most likely be over a year old before her rights are terminated.
Krissy, I applaud you for adopting and being a mother to a child who would otherwise grow up without one. I think that is so awesome! I’m sorry in your adoption situation that you will not be able to breastfeed but it’s more important for your baby to have a happy healthy home and your dedication to your child makes you a great mom. Like I said before, you are more than welcome to use our tent to feed your baby or socialize with other enthusiastic moms! Hope to see you there
Jesse, it was great to meet you too! You and your husband were so sweet helping me with my tent. I look forward to seein the very cool face painting you will be doing. Remember, we have water and snacks if you guys need anything
see you soon 