Cornfest celebrations kick off Thursday

By Greg Price
Taber Times
gprice@tabertimes.com

While the weather forecast is not the best it has ever been for Cornfest, nothing will dampen the spirit of the festivities of one of the largest free festivals in the province.

Some weather networks are calling for a chance of showers throughout Cornfest starting with the midway on Thursday with the temperatures being in the upper teens. But that will not deter many for Taber’s yearly event that is known for ‘Come for the Corn, Stay for the Fun.’

“We have a few new acts coming in on stage this year and we have a monster truck coming out (Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.) giving rides to the kids,” said Daniel Tams, co-chair for the 2014 Cornfest Committee.

“The Puffer Belly Express is back again to give a tour of the town which is always popular with the kids and families. There’s a Wipeout-themed bouncy castle coming that is more aimed at teens and adults rather than just kids.”

There are, of course, your Cornfest regulars of a Sneak-A-Peek wristband night for the midway on Thursday starting at 5 p.m. to go alongside the fresh bounty of a Farmer’s Market that day from 5-7 p.m. next to the town administration building.

Several community clubs and businesses get together on Friday to see who the best chili chefs are out there starting at 3 p.m. for the Scotiabank Kent Moffit Chili Cook Off next to the beer gardens at Confederation Park.

The community at large get to taste the different varieties with silver donations going towards charity. Included in the day is the Ar-Tech Coating Opening Ceremonies at Confederation Park at 5:30 p.m. where family entertainment and the grand opening of Taber’s new spray park will be unveiled. There people can view the Century 21 Foothills Fourth Annual Scarecrow Contest, check out the Lamb Weston Cornbread Contest and later in the evening go to the Taber Exhibition Cornfest Rodeo at 7 p.m. where people can check out the show at the Taber Agri-Plex absolutely free. Friday’s slate musical features Dixon Jane opening at 3 p.m. with fellow musicians Calum Graham (4 p.m.), Moon Dawgs (7 p.m.), Breanne Urban and Southern Flyer (8:30 p.m.) and Suite 33 (10 p.m.) playing on the Confederation Park main stage.

Saturday’s slate kicks off with the Taber IGA and Taber Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast starting at 8 a.m. The long-distance running enthusiasts out there will be competing in the 5k/10 K Fun Run at 9 a.m.. An arts and crafts sale will be featured in the Taber Community Centre auditorium from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The immensely popular Corn Country Cruisers Show and Shine for those lovers of classic cars goes from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in downtown Taber. Astro jumps (10 a.m.-7 p.m. ), Interpipeline Corn Stuffing (11 a.m.-noon), Rogers Sugar/Lantic Inc. Corn Tasting (12:30-1 p.m.), EPCOR Corn Eating Contest (1-2:30 p.m.), face painting (11 a.m.–3 p.m.), YPM petting zoo (12-5 p.m.), ATB Rabid Rabbit Monster Truck Ride (12 p.m.-5 p.m.), Boarderline Skateboard Corn-Test (1 p.m.-8 p.m.), and finally the fireworks at 10 p.m., all packed in around Confederation Park.
Musical entertainment features Filipino dancers starting at 9 a.m.