Residents across the Verde Valley and Sedona should take note: Corn Fest returns to Camp Verde for its 30th anniversary with new hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 19, along Hollamon Street in downtown Camp Verde, including the Community Center.
An estimated 5,000 to 6,000 people are expected to attend, according to Tiffany Smith, parks and recreation supervisor.
“Corn Fest is an event where we celebrate local agriculture, particularly Hauser and Hauser corn,” Smith said, adding that she is excited to participate in her first Corn Fest after starting with the town about four months ago. “It’s a good, fun event for the whole family, where you can support local craft vendors, local food vendors, show some summer cheer, indulge in delicious corn and mingle with other community members.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to peruse 76 vendors on site selling arts and crafts, along with at least 10 food vendors serving Mexican food, ice cream, barbecue, hot dogs and more. All available vendor spaces have been filled. Parks and Recreation has issued a scam alert advising residents to be cautious of online scammers posing as the town to collect bogus vendor fees. Official registration is only through Sportsites.com and Eventeny.com.
The Arizona Flywheelers will return with their display of tractors and flywheel engines on the community field. Fresh Hauser corn will also be available for purchase, with sales conducted by the Kiwanis Club of Camp Verde to benefit the organization.
“The Camp Verde [Community] Library will be bringing their STEAM trailer and a mini disc golf course,” Smith said. “Verde Village is operating our dunk tank as a fundraiser for their organization, and we’ve got some town council and employees that have already signed up to be dunked, including Vice Mayor Wendy Escoffier, Public Works Director Ken Krebbs and Town Council member Patricia Seybold. So we’ve got some familiar faces of the town to get in the tank, and there will be others … and there’s going to be a kids’ craft activity area.”
Live music will run throughout the event in the main tent, along with a nearby beer garden located in the parking lot on Hollamon Street, with a “Country in the Corn” theme. The lineup includes:
- Lonesome Valley at 9 a.m.
- The Fletcher Lane Band at 10:45 a.m.
- Marko Donnelly at 12:45 p.m.
- Paul, Chris & Friends at 2:30 p.m.
“The Fletcher Lane Band brings a high-energy mix of country charm and classic vibes to every stage they hit,” the band’s bio states. “With sweet three-part harmonies, witty banter that keeps crowds grinning, and a setlist that bounces from toe-tappin’ country to ’70s classics, they know how to keep the good times rollin’.
“Married duo Dan and Brandi Fletcher have been making music (and each other laugh) for years, and when the wildly talented Paula Lane joined them in Prescott a year ago — with her killer dobro licks and smooth vocals — the trio hit a whole new stride. You can catch them all around Prescott turning patios and bars into full-blown hootenannies.”
While parking is free, there is no designated lot and capacity can be limited. Public parking is available along Main Street, at Town Hall and in the dirt lot off Hollamon Street.
Attendees are encouraged to bring water. “We are a dog-friendly town, but we do ask that people leave their pets at home, and bring hats and sunscreen,” Smith said. “There will be some fans on site, and swamp coolers in the big music tent.”
“Also, the farmers market dovetails into Corn Fest,” Smith added. “The farmers market starts at 8 a.m. and then the Corn Fest starts at 9 a.m., so people will be able to visit the farmers market too. It’s not a part of Corn Fest, but it will be right there under the ramada.”
The town is still seeking additional volunteers to assist with setup, teardown and gatekeeping. Contact Camp Verde Parks and Recreation at parks@campverde.az.gov or call (928) 554-0820, option 3 for more information.
