Where can you find a good ear these days?

Try Minier Corn Daze celebration

[JULY 31, 2006]  MINIER -- Minier celebrates 22 years of community spirit with its annual Corn Daze festival, slated for Saturday and Sunday.

Corn Daze takes its name from the 5,000 ears of locally grown sweet corn that is served free on Sunday. Just how is this feat accomplished? Well, a sweet corn husker makes short work of the husking. Operations supervisor Dick Troyer accomplishes the task in an hour and a half with the help of the Minier Pioneers 4-H Club. Then, "Corn King" Dorsey Packard steam-cooks the corn in a stainless steel vat. Community volunteers serve the 5,000 buttered ears of corn starting at noon on Sunday. Don't miss this summer treat! Many local organizations provide a variety of foods throughout the weekend.

Events begin at 9 a.m. Saturday with the Olympia Kiwanis Club 5K run. The runners will intersect with two other groups. The St. Jude runners will stop by the Minier Park on their way back to Peoria from Memphis as they complete a four-day, 465-mile trek. At the same time, the Triangle of Opportunity bike tour will roll in for a break. Come to the park to cheer on these athletes.

Saturday activities include a craft show (vendors still welcome), a truck pull at noon, kids' activities and karaoke in the park from 6 until 8 p.m. On Saturday evening the Minier Classmates Reunion will host its annual banquet at St. John's Fellowship Hall, beginning at 6 p.m. Classmates can meet informally at the hall from 2 to 4 p.m.

Sunday begins with a community church service in the park at 10 a.m. All-day activities include the car show and antique tractor show, so come and enjoy a glimpse of the past. Craft show and kids' activities also continue. The tractor pull begins at 11 a.m. Entertainment will fill the shady park from noon until 4 p.m. The LillyLites gospel singers begin at noon. The Marvels will perform big-band and favorite oldies music at 1 p.m., and Anjanel Fulkens will share her country music at 3 p.m. Don't miss the fun and festivities!

All events are listed at http://minier.com/; just click on "Corn Daze" for specific times, details and entry information. Enjoy a fun-filled summer weekend in the lovely, shaded Minier Park.

[News release]