We’re excited to bring you a weekend of activities, live music, smiles, and laughter. Be a festival goer, parade entry, volunteer, committee member, or sponsor. Just join us we can’t wait to celebrate Sweet Corn Days with you.

Schedule Of Events

July 24, 2025

12pm - 6pm : Friends of the Library Book Sale  - Central State Bank Community Room
4 - 8pm : FREE Chalk the Walk  - Founders’ Park - No registration - All ages - We provide the chalk, you provide the art.
5pm : Judging of Sweet Corn Days Royalty - St. Joseph’s Parish Hall 
5pm - 8pm : FREE Ice Cream Social  - 200 block of S Main Street - Free will donation - Hosted by Main Street Elkader
5pm - 8pm : Live Music by Plum Street Jam  - Outside TD’s Sports Bar & Grill -  Hosted by TD’s
5pm - 8pm : NEW! Vendor + Street Fair  - 200 block of S Main Street
5pm - 8pm : Food + Drinks  - 200 block of S Main Street
9pm : FREE Movie in the Park: Harold & the Purple Crayon  - Founders’ Park - Hosted by Elkader Cinema - movie trailer

July 25, 2025

8am and 1:30pm : Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament - Elkader Golf & Country Club - Three person best shot & meal - $150 per team - 8″ cups - Hole games - Sign up by calling 563-245-2230
10am - 5pm : Friends of the Library Book Sale  - Central State Bank Community Room
5:45pm : Crowning of Sweet Corn Days Royalty & Grand Marshal Announcement  - Founders’ Park
5:45pm - 7:45pm : FREE Live Music by Curtis Goodman  - Founders’ Park
6pm - 12am : Food Vendors - Founders’ Park - NO sweet corn on Friday. Friday food vendors: Smokin Monkee BBQ, Masonic Lodge burgers & brats, Brain Freezer, Myson’s Tacos & Burritos, Sweet Treats, & Elkader Pizzeria + ice cream!
6pm - 12am : Drink Tent  - Founders’ Park - $4 per ticket - Includes non-alcoholic options 
6pm - 9pm : Carnival: Kids Rides & Amusement  - Founders’ Park - $10 daily wristband or $15 weekend wristband - Euro jump, Cups of fun,  Rock climbing wall, Toddler play area,  Inflatable obstacle course,  inflatable slide, Bounce house with slide - FREE Face Painting - FREE Corn Sandboxes
8pm - 12am : FREE Live Music by The Drama Kings  - Founders’ Park
Dusk : Fireworks at - Founders’ Park

July 26, 2025

7:50am : FREE Kids Fun Run: 1/4 mile - S. Main Street by Wilke’s - Kids 5 & under - No cost but MUST register - Registration at 7:15 - Hosted by Elkader Fitness Center
8am : 5K/10K Walk/Run - S. Main Street by Wilke’s - Registration at 7:15 - MUST register - Hosted by Elkader Fitness Center
8am : Softball Tournament - Elkader City Park - Double elimination - $150 entry fee per team - Cash payback with 50% of profits going to support the Central Elkader Wrestling - 8am start on Saturday - 9am start on Sunday for finals - Sign up by calling Joe at 563-880-5405
9am : FREE Bend & Booze: Yoga in the park - Founders’ Park - 30 minutes of beginner’s yoga followed by your pick of a Mimosa, Screwdriver, or Bloody Mary - All ages welcome for yoga - Please bring your own yoga mat - Must be 21 or older to consume alcohol - Guided by Teri Ann Marting with Inhale Exhale Pilates & Yoga Studio
9:45am : FREE 0.08 Mile Shotgun Run - S. Main Street by Wilke’s - Shotgun a beer then run 0.08 miles - Must sign waiver prior to start - Must be 21 or older to consume alcohol - Hosted by Elkader Fitness Center
9:30 - 11:30am : Friends of the Library Book Sale  - Central State Bank Community Room
10am : FREE Kid Friendly Sand Bottle Art Craft - Elkader Public Library front lawn - Hosted by the Elkader Public Library - No registration required
11am - 1am : Food Vendors  - Founders’ Park - Saturday food vendors include: Smokin Monkee BBQ, Masonic Lodge burgers & brats, Brain Freezer, Myson’s Tacos & Burritos, Sweet Treats, & Elkader Pizzeria + ice cream! At 4pm Fire Dept. will be selling chicken halves and serving FREE sweet corn
11am - 12am : Drink Tent  - Founders’ Park - $4 per ticket - Includes non-alcoholic options
11am : FREE Kiddie Tractor Pull  - Founders’ Park - Registration at 10:30 - Ages 4 - 11 - Sanctioned by the Iowa State Pedal Pull Association
11am : Bean Bag Tournament  - S Main St next to Founders’ Park - Registration at 10:30 - Double elimination - $20 registration fee per team - Cash payback - Bring your own bags - Event will be ran by McGregor Fun Bags - Cold beer will be available at the beer tent
11am - 6pm : NEW! Bingo in the park  - Founders’ Park - $1 per card/game - 50/50 winnings - Fundraiser for Central Warrior PTO (parent teacher organization) - Closed during parade
11am - 6pm : Carnival: Kids Rides & Amusement - Founders’ Park - $10 daily wristband or $15 weekend wristband - Euro jump, Cups of fun,  Rock climbing wall, Toddler play area,  Inflatable obstacle course,  inflatable slide, Bounce house with slide - FREE Face Painting - FREE Balloons by Mike - FREE Corn Sandboxes - Closed during parade
2pm : Sweet Corn Days Parade - Main St - 1:30pm Line up at the intersection of Davis St & N 1st St where volunteer firefighters will direct you - No theme - No registration - Regulations for Parade Entries
3pm - 6pm : FREE Car, Truck, & Jeep Show & Shine - S Main St - Located on South Main Street in Elkader. Either pull in & park after the 2pm parade or be in the parade (at the very end) by lining up at the intersection of Davis St & N 1st St at 1:30 & then park on S Main St towards at the end of the parade route- see map. Cards will be provided to place in dashboard. Card can be found at the table next to FreedomBank parking lot adjacent to S Main St. just south of Wilke’s. No contest or awards. - Show & Shine Map
3pm - 7pm : FREE Live Music by No Turnin’ Back - Founders’ Park
4pm  : FREE Sweet Corn - South Main Street just north of Founders’ Park - Also serving chicken halves for sale - Sponsored by the Elkader Fire Department - Did you know that all of the FREE sweet corn is purchased, husked, cleaned, cooked, buttered, and served by the Elkader Fire Department? Check out this short video that Iowa Public Television created Click here. - Help fill the boot by donating
8pm - 11pm : Moonlight Swim  - Elkader City Pool - $6 Entry Fee - open to all ages — families included - Maximum occupancy for safety reasons is 150 patrons - Season/weekend passes are not accepted at this event
8pm - 11pm : FREE Teen Sand Volleyball Tournament - Elkader City Park - Team of 6 to 8 teenagers with a minimum of 3 girls

July 27, 2025

9am : NEW! Pickleball Tournament - Elkader City Park - $25 registration fee per person - Prizes awarded to top 3 winners - Registration required - Contact Kelly with questions at 319-240-3854 or [email protected]

Date : July 24-26, 2025

Location : Various Venues in Elkader, IA

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