Cornfest app helping spectators

By Greg Price
Taber Times
gprice@tabertimes.com

There is a new app in place that helps supplement The Taber Times’ Cornfest supplement.

While The Taber Times supplement features in-depth stories of musical acts and activities that surround southern Alberta’s largest free festival, along with features on how the event happens, there is now a handy Cornfest app people can download on their phone to get the time tables and list of events at the palm of their hands, negating the need of paper for quick and easy access as they explore the Cornfest grounds.

“One thing the Cornfest committee tries to do is be relevant to changing trends. One thing we have noticed is people walking around with their faces down looking at their phones,” said Bruce Warkentin, a member of the 2016 Cornfest committee. “We wanted to get some information about Cornfest on a device they are accessing. We went to the app as a source of information people can download about Cornfest. We can communicate with people both before and at the event.”

A tech company was hired to do the app, who is an acquaintance of Warkentin, who owns a company that does IT work.

“The app is mainly the events that are happening with the times, dates and a small description,” said Warkentin. “There is a list of vendors too, to see if your favourite vendor is there. There is also a list of our sponsors because without them, this event wouldn’t be free. It’s a pretty simple thing, the things you need at your finger tips while you’re walking the grounds.”

Those who download the app can also help charity. Hoping to get 1,000 downloads, and partnering with MPP, the company has agreed to donate a dollar for every download to the Taber Food Bank.

“During these tough economic times ,the food bank is getting drawn upon for more and more food by people who have been hit by the economic downturn,” said Warkentin. “It’s a way of doing two things at once, supporting a good charity and letting people know about a good event that is happening in August.”

It is a free iTunes app, and is on Android Google as well.

“My family really likes going to Cornfest because it marks the end of summery,” said Warkentin. “It is a way to reconnect with friends we haven’t maybe seen in awhile.”