History
The Bicentennial Committee for the City of North Ridgeville was formed in 1975 to celebrate the upcoming United States bicentennial in 1976. The first festival ran 6 hours and featured 13 booths around the North Ridgeville Middle School track. The proceeds were donated to the library to assist with the cost of relocating it from the old Lawson’s store area the Olde Town Hall building across the street. The next year, in 1976, in addition to celebrating the bicentennial, the festival was held in honor Harold Sweet, a sweet corn grower in North Ridgeville, for all that he did for the youth and citizens of the city. The proceeds from this festival were donated to purchase trees for the then new Bainbridge Extension along with 2 bicentennial flags for City Hall. The Bicentennial Committee was renamed the North Ridgeville Corn Festival Committee in 1977.
In 1981, the committee completed the admission requirements of the Ohio Festival and Events Association (OFEA), and after several inspections was admitted to the organization. The festival is continuously inspected by this organization, as well as other member festivals, and is proud that our annual improvements and general operation have allowed the festival to be a member for over 20 years! At the time of admission, OFEA had only 20 member festivals. Today there are over 60! The membership through OFEA has allowed for continuous improvement and new ideas to be brought to the festival. For more information on the Ohio Festival and Events Association please click here.
In the June 2002 issue of Cleveland Magazine, the North Ridgeville Corn Festival was voted the best festival in Northeast Ohio. The following is a portion form the article in the magazine:
The corn in North Ridgeville is always knee-high by the Fourth of July. That’s when the city begins its countdown to the Corn Festival, held the second week in August for the last 27 years. What started out as the Lorain County city’s observance of the country’s bicentennial has turned into a three day fete complete with corn walk, corn eating contest, and a grand parade down Center Ridge Road. Last year, more than 7,000 ears of corn were steamed, roasted, and consumed. Festival president Jo Ell Jacobson proudly reports that, since its inception, the festival has raised more than $80,000 for civic and charitable projects. |
The North Ridgeville Corn Festival Committee, a not-for-profit organization, is composed entirely of volunteers. Proceeds are used to benefit the citizens of North Ridgeville through contributions to educational programs, worthy community and city projects, various city departments, as well as the beautification of South Central Park. In addition, organizations are offered the opportunity to raise funds for their programs
The annual Corn Festival offers FREE admission, FREE entertainment, FREE parking and it is ‘Always the Second Weekend in August’!
North Ridgeville Corn Festival, Inc. -
PO Box 39103 - North Ridgeville, OH 44035
- 440-327-5144
Questions or comments? E-mail us and let us know!