The theme for the 71st annual West Point Sweet Corn Festival was “West Point Field of Dreams: If you shuck it, they will come” and they certainly did – in droves – from start to finish.
“The weather’s been great through almost all of it and based on our chicken dinners, I’d say attendance is definitely up this year,” Festival committee member Madison Mohrfeld told Mississippi Valley Publishing.
And, to give one an dea as to how many chickens she’s talking about, she said 150 cases were purchased and there are 32 chickens per case.
“This year we’re probably going to run out soon,” Mohrfeld said Sunday afternoon.
She said the committee, which works November through August putting on the event, encountered one minor day-to-day hiccup, and the events seemed to “go seamlessly.”
Mohrfeld has been able to see the festival as both an attendee and an organizer. As an attendee, Saturday’s contests and events have always been the highlight for her.
“But since being on the committee I’d say my favorite part has been getting to know a lot of people I otherwise wouldn’t have met.”
Kicking off the four-day festival was the traditional Shuckfest where volunteers stepped up and prepared 16 tons of sweet corn that would be available free throughout the event.
According to the festival website, in 2010 shuckers exceeded 700 ears per minute. Unofficially, West Point holds the record for the fastest shucking festival town.
Thursday night, marking the first day of the festival, saw Emily Ross crowned the 2024 Sweet Corn Festival Queen by last year’s queen, Jenna Hellman,
Ross, 17, is the daughter of Troy and Carol Ross, and attends Holy Trinity Catholic School. She is involved with FFA, culinary club, softball and student council Hellman is the daughter of John and Cheryl Hellman. She attends Iowa State University and is majoring in environmental engineering.
The 2024 Sweet Corn Princess was Lorelei Lieving, 5, daughter of Nate and Randi Lieving. She attends Holy Trinity and she enjoys riding the ladybug ride.
The princesses each had a canister placed at a location, in which people could put money. Lieving had the most money in her canister, which was located at Phil’s Pub in West Point.
First queen runner up was Lauren Sanders, daughter of Brad and Cara Sanders. She is 17, attends Central Lee, and is involved with cross country, dance team, show choir, LEO club, art club, NHS and the SOAR team.
Second runner up queen candidate was Desiree Houston, daughter of Pamela Beavers and Michael Houston. She is 18 and a graduate of Keokuk High School. She plays volleyball and is involved in her church youth group.
Friday saw crowds enjoying the carnival, art and crafts, sweet corn and barbecue chicken dinners as well as performances by Raeanne’s School of Dance and Paulette’s Dance Studio, followed by The ConCannon Band.
Saturday started bright and early with a breakfast and a 5K Run/Walk.
Runners taking home trophies were Riley Tripp,16, of West Point; Peyton Lambert, 17, of Fort Madison; Jacob Shottenkirk, 17, of Fort Madison, Jefferson Fedler 41 (no address listed); Avery Fedler, 13, (no address listed); Justin Mehmert, 34, Fort Madison; Sean Conrad, 32, (no address listed); Austin Malcolm, 10, of Wever; Ellie Hellman, 15, of Denmark; Rachel Guzman, 27, (no address listed); Haley Heeren, 22, of West Union; Austin Brown, 24, of Danville; Jordan Riley, 23, of Iowa City; Jenna Box, 18, of Nebraska City; Courtney Vandenberg, 30, of West Point; Robert McPherson, 66, of New London; Brody Boylan, 12, (no address listed); Jesse Vanwinkle, 45, of Morning Sun; Peyton Anderson, 12, of Ankeny; Lauren Hunold, 12, of Dubuque; Cassandra Carvajal, 34, of Altoona; and Bill Yale, 66, of Fort Madison.
Water fights, horseshoes, a cornhole tournament, pee wee drag races., music and the carnival enjoyed crowds as well on Saturday.
According to the festival’s Facebook page, winners of the Pee Wee Drag Races were:
Three Year Olds: First place – Brooks Winnike; 2nd – Elton Winnike; and 3rd – Benjamin Sorensen
Four Year Olds: First place – Case Pieper; 2nd – Daphne Merschbrock; 3rd – Carter Kelch.
Five Year Olds: First place – Christopher Hannum; 2nd Hudson Bales; 3rd – Brynlee Kelch.
Six Year Olds: First place – Braxton Hamilton; 2nd – Lucy Vonderhaar; 3rd – Cole Wilkins.
Winners of the corn hole tournament were Chad Taylor and Jon Schultz in first place; Suzi Walljasper and Jacob Moon in second; and Nichole Scheerer and Jaxon Schultz in third place.
Sunday, the last day of the festival, saw chicken dinners and free sweet corn flowing as early as 11 a.m.; a free workout class by Kim Fraise; and hours of carnival rides, arts and crafts and bingo.
But the highlight Sunday was undoubtedly the Sweet Corn Festival Parade, which likely holds the record in this area for the most candy thrown per city block.
Leading the parade was the local American Legion honor guard, followed by the 2024 parade grand marshal, Carl J. Johntson.
A lifelong resident of West Point, Johnston has selflessly volunteered his endless time, labor, and help over the past many years to the West Point Community. Johnston first became involved with the West Point Historical Society in 1987 and became its president around 2003.
In addition, Johnston has also been a member of the West Point Public Library Board of Trustees since 2008, and is currently serving his third term as board president. The genealogy room at the West Point Public Library was renamed the Carl J. Johnston Genealogy Room in 2023 to honor his 20 plus years of contributions to the library and museum.
He has also volunteered his time to the West Point community in many other ways. He served on the Senior Housing Board in the 1980s and has been an usher during Sunday Mass at St. Mary’s church in West Point for many years. In 2017, Johnston received a Shining Star Award for volunteerism.
And, this year’s parade enjoyed pleasant temperatures and clear skies instead the steady downpour endured last year.
As a result, the crowd attending was at least five times greater than last year, lining the streets throughout the heart of the small community.
