East Prairie hosts unique weekend of annual events

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- For the first time, East Prairie's three largest annual events will be combined into one weekend.

This year's 39th annual Sweet Corn Festival will include the 11th annual Main Street Party today and the 12th annual Tour de Corn set for Saturday.

"We're trying to get people from [all] over to come visit and enjoy activities we have for the weekend," said Cyndi Norton, director of East Prairie Chamber of Commerce.

Norton said she's expecting a turnout of 3,000 people this weekend.

"We have 3,500 people who live here and we don't expect everyone who lives here to come, but if we can get 3,000 people to come downtown, we will be extremely happy," Norton said.

The Main Street Party will kick off the festival sponsored by the Sweet Corn Committee in cooperation with the East Prairie Chamber of Commerce. It will be from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. and feature live music and street dancing. A corn-eating contest will begin at 8 p.m.

More than 75 craft and food vendors -- the most in the history of the event -- will be on hand today and from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

"Tour de Corn is our charity bike ride, and that kicks off on Saturday," Norton said. "We've got as many riders as last year. Every year we have more riders than the year before."

Last year, 1,162 cyclists from 22 states were preregistered for the event, which is about the same as this year, said Silvey Barker, ride coordinator.

The ride begins at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at the Family Life Center in downtown East Prairie. From there, riders will follow one of four routes -- 15, 30, 65 or 100 miles -- which lead them through Mississippi and Scott counties. Everyone finishes at the starting point.

"We've had some people who have ridden every single year," Barker said. "Groups who come for their family reunions gather here and ride in Tour de Corn."

Riders may register on site from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. today at the Main Street Party, or the day of the ride at 6 a.m. The registration fee is $25.

Every route has at least one rest stop where riders can get snacks and drinks, depending on the stops, which are manned by local residents or groups such as churches.

In addition to the bike ride, several activities are planned for Saturday, including a corn-tossing contest for two-person teams of all ages at 8:30 a.m. on Main Street.

At 9 a.m., children 12 and younger can participate in a children's bike parade. Their bikes will be decorated to the theme of "Thank God for Farmers. Thank God for Sweet Corn," followed by outhouse races at 10:30 a.m. and pig races at 11 a.m.

A dog show, car and antique tractor show and bow-making class round out the day's activities.

A fish fry will be from 4 to 6 p.m. at the East Prairie Nutrition Center and the "Putting on the Hits" program begins at 7 p.m. in the high school gym.

A quilt show and musical entertainment will take place both days at the East Prairie Nutrition Center.

Festival events not taking place this weekend are the Sweet Corn Beauty Pageants that are scheduled for June 29 and 30.

Last year's Tour de Corn was named as one of the top 10 fun rides in the June issue of Bicycle Magazine. This year, it was named Missouri Bicycle Event of the Year by the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation.

"We have cyclists who've booked [lodging] in Sikeston, Cape, Charleston and East Prairie -- so it's not just Mississippi County's economy the ride affects," Barker said.

For more information, call the East Prairie Chamber at 573-649-5243.

Pertinent address:

East Prairie, MO