“Corn Dynasty–Corn. Fun. Community.”
It’s the 85th annual Tall Corn Festival, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 8th through the 10th, at Rossville, Kansas, US.
“In the heart of the Kaw Valley, families from across the land gather for music, parades and most importantly have celebrated the Rossville Tall Corn Festival on the second weekend of August for the past 84 years,” announced officials of the Rossville Community Development Committee, with the objective to “help improve the overall quality of life in Rossville, Kansas.”
Recognizing the hard work of the community during corn harvest, this year’s Rossville Tall Corn Festival has something for everyone including corn spitting, corn-on-the-cob eating and official judging of the tallest corn.
Crafts and food booths are to be set in the City Park all three days starting at 2 o’clock Friday afternoon, through Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock.
Free hot dogs will be provided at 5 o’clock, Friday evening, with the official Tall Corn Contest at 6 o’clock, when the “Tallest Corn in Kaw Valley” is to be selected. The spitting and eating contests will continue the “corn affair,” with prizes in each category.
The Southwest Dairy Farmers are planning demonstrations from 5 o’clock, to 7 o’clock, Friday evening, with a 4-H petting zoo also to be open. A talent show is scheduled, along with a community challenge volleyball tournament, and a junior high school dance.
Saturday morning kicks off with the Tall Corn Pancake Breakfast, at 6:30, and the Tall Corn Runs start at 7:30, with a co-rec softball tournament at 8 o’clock.
Celebrated since 1929, the Grand Parade has marched down Rossville’s Main Street for more than 80 years. No pre-entries are required, and all participants are invited, with the kids heading off at 9:45, and the whole line-up following within 15 minutes.
Afternoon slate offers a barbecue at noon, along with mini train rides, and a live charity auction featuring chairs painted by local arts, to benefit Main Street Beautification. Topeka Zoo Demonstrations are planned from noon to 2 o’clock, and a Helping Hands Mobile Adoption is from noon to 3 o’clock, when bingo begins. Supper featuring fried chicken, corn-on-the-cob and homemade starts at 4 o’clock, along with a silent benefit auction.
Action gets into fullest swing when the gates open at 7 o’clock for the Saturday Night Street Dance featuring a Beer Garden. State Line Drive, a country, pop and rock band, will be on stage from 7:30 to 9:30, and Big Time Grain Company, Kansas City’s premier country-western and country-rock band, is the be featured from 10 o’clock, until midnight.
Community worship is set for 8 o’clock Sunday morning, and the always popular turtle races begin at 1 o’clock, simultaneously with kickoff of the Rossville Horseshoe Tournament. Climax for a busy three days in Rossville is the Splash Bash at the Pool getting underway at 3 o’clock.
“The city of Rossville, Kansas, and the Rossville Community Development Committee invite you to celebrate in America’s heartland. We hope you join us for this traditional family celebration, the 85th annual Rossville Tall Corn Festival this weekend, Aug. 8-10,” the promoters welcomed.