By Roz Kohls
Staff Writer

People can hardly wait to sample the free, all you can eat, corn-on-the-cob that highlights Cokato’s annual Corn Carnival in August.

Since 1950, the Cokato Corn Carnival has provided rides, music, food, games, a parade and all the free corn-on-the-cob you can eat.

Buying corn carnival buttons for $3 each entitles corn eaters to enter prize drawings and free corn-on-the-cob. Folks come from miles around the Dassel Cokato area to sample the fresh corn plucked from neighboring fields as well as the fun and entertainment at the Corn Carnival.

The celebration usually begins with a church service at Peterson Park the Sunday before the carnival begins. Most activities take place in and around the natural amphitheater of Peterson Park.

Standard events include a big evening parade, a kiddie parade, Midway rides, live musical entertainment, concessions, queen coronation, special displays at the Cokato Museum and Akerlund Studio, car raffle, and drawings.

Sunday,

• 7 p.m. ecumenical service, Peterson Park.

Monday,

• 6 or 6:30 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.

Tuesday,

• 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Cokato Museum and Akerlund Studio open.

• Noon, rides and Midway open.

• 2:00 p.m., corn husking

• Noon to 3 p.m. is registration for children’s drawing

(14 or younger.)

• 3:15 p.m. is the 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.

• Cash drawing: four $100 prizes.

Wednesday,

• 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., museum and Akerlund Studio open.

• Noon, Midway and carnival rides open.

• 2:00 p.m., corn husking

• 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.

• 6 p.m., corn eating contest in front of main stage.

• 7 p.m., entertainment at main stage.

• 8 p.m., entertainment at main stage.

• 10 p.m., cash prize drawing.

• Car drawing