Mendota Sweet Corn Festival

Prepare your tastebuds for the butter-drenched extravaganza of a lifetime at the Mendota Sweet Corn Festival, where the Midwest’s finest golden goodness takes center stage. Welcoming over 40,000 corn enthusiasts annually, this epic celebration transforms downtown Mendota into a hub of non-stop excitement, complete with a massive carnival, live musical acts on multiple stages, and a bustling crafters’ market featuring more than 200 unique vendors. Whether you are aiming for a prize at the midway games, sipping cold beverages in the lively beer garden, or cheering at the mile-long grand parade, the undisputed highlight remains the historic Sunday free corn boil. Cooked to perfection using a vintage steam engine, over 50 tons of hot, buttered sweet corn are served to eager crowds, making this nearly eight-decade-old tradition an absolute must-visit destination for food lovers and families alike.