Cokato Corn Carnival
Each year, the Cokato Corn Carnival draws people back to their native home to enjoy all that the three-day event has to offer.
The annual Cokato Corn Carnival takes place Monday through Wednesday in the second week of August, with many of the festivities taking place in Peterson Park, located in downtown Cokato.
Since 1950, the Cokato Corn Carnival has been a hometown tradition that is truly fun for the entire family featuring Midway rides and games, music, food, a parade, and of course, the much anticipated, buttery corn-on-the-cob.
With the purchase of a $3 Corn Carnival button, one can get all the corn they can eat, beginning Tuesday.
Also by purchasing a button, one is automatically entered into a drawing to win cash prizes of $2,500, $1,500, and $1,000, given away on the last day of the carnival.
Other highlights of the Cokato Corn Carnival are corn bingo, Miss Cokato coronation, cash drawings, and car raffle.
The 2011 schedule is as follows:
Sunday, Aug. 7
• 7 p.m., ecumenical service, Peterson Park.
Monday, Aug. 8
• 6 p.m., kiddie parade. Participation awards are given to all who enter.
• Main parade follows.
• Food stands, carnival rides and Midway open after the parades.
• Entertainment (TBA) on the main stage at Peterson Park sponsored by the Dassel-Cokato Ministerium.
Tuesday, Aug. 9
• 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Cokato Museum and Akerlund Studio open.
• Noon, rides and Midway open.
• 2 - 7 p.m., Cokato library book sale fundraiser.
• Noon to 3 p.m., registration for children’s prize drawing
(14 or younger.)
• 3:15 p.m., children’s drawing.
• 4-9 p.m., the serving of free corn-on-the-cob begins.
• 8 p.m., the annual Miss Cokato coronation and introduction of visiting royalty.
• 10 p.m., cash drawing: four $100 prizes.
Wednesday, Aug. 10
• 9 a.m.- 9 p.m., Cokato Museum and Akerlund Studio open.
• Noon, Midway and carnival rides open.
• 2 - 7 p.m., Cokato library book sale and fundraiser.
• Noon to 3 p.m., registration for children’s prize giveaway.
• 3:15 p.m., children’s prize drawing from main stage in Peterson Park.
• 4-9 p.m., serving of free corn-on-the-cob.
• 7 p.m., entertainment at main stage: Mid-Minnesota Concert Band
• 8 p.m., entertainment at main stage featuring the Minnesota country band, The Killer Hayseeds.
• 10 p.m., cash prizes and car drawing. This year’s car is a 2012 Ford Focus provided by Holt Motors.
