GLADBROOK — It’s not every small town that can say it’s held an annual carnival for more than 100 years. The Gladbrook Corn Carnival, now in its 103rd year, offers attendees food, music, kids’ activities, rides, exhibits, a car show, parade and more.

Committee member Melanie Wagner said coming up with just the right theme each year is the hardest aspect of the event. But when the group landed on “Corn in the USA” — a take on the Bruce Springsteen song “Born in the USA” — it was an instant winner.

“It sounded good and made sense,” Wagner said of the theme.

The Corn Carnival will span Thursday, June 12 through Sunday, June 15. Daily events will include midway rides, food stands, beer garden and more.

The well-known Matchstick Marvels will be on display June 12 from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., June 13 from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and June 14 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

T-R FILE PHOTO – A ‘Corn Uber’ rides in last year’s Friday night Corn Carnival parade in Gladbrook. The annual festival returns for its 103rd iteration from June 12-15.

Thursday, June 12

Collectors’ Fair will take place in the memorial building from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with t-shirt sales and quilt raffle tickets available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Raffle tickets will also be available at the Corn Carnival booth upstairs in the City Center from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The winner will be drawn Saturday night. You do not need to be present to win. Tickets are one dollar each or six for five dollars.

Scott Amusements rides and midway will run 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Little Miss and Mr. Corn Carnival is set for 6:15 p.m., at City Park. Youth entering second and third grade in the fall are eligible to enter. Winners’ names are drawn from a hat.

Corn Cob Queen crowning, also at 6:15 p.m. at City Park, is a popular draw.

Any female over the age of 18 can run for the honor. To vote for your choice of queen, visit Hometown Family Market and put money in the bucket that corresponds with the candidate. The bucket with the most money in it by the start of the carnival will be who wins Corn Cob Queen. Wagner noted past winners have varied in age from young adults all the way to women in their 60s, 70s and older.

Kiddies Parade starts at 6:30 p.m. in City Park, followed by air brushing and kids’ spin art.

Enjoy free entertainment from Grind Band from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Hometown Family Market lot (bring your own chair). The Beer Garden Entertainment will feature karaoke with Starlight Entertainment.

Friday, June 13

Friday kicks off with the Merchant and Business Exhibits in the upstairs of City Center. It will be open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. (closed during the parade). Indoor vendor space is full, but room is still available outdoors. Wagner noted it’s a great opportunity for local entities to promote their wares and services and for folks to shop local.

“We have close to 40 vendors this year, which is the most we’ve had in a while,” she said.

Rides and midway fun will continue from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. The grand parade will start at 6:30 p.m. No preregistration required. Parade entries need to enter off of Hwy. 96 on Garfield Street down to the FS lot to gather.

The parade starts at the corner by Peace Church heading east on Johnston Street for five blocks, then south on King Street for one block, and back west on Fourth Street going by the City Park for five blocks.

Crash’n Bash will partake in the parade and set up a course on Main Street for youngsters to drive little cars.

For parade questions, contact Keith Sash at 641-751-8541.

Wagner encourages people to sign up for the parade and enter their floats, as there is still space available.

Kids can enjoy face painting/air brushing and spin art starting at 7 p.m. Bingo will be held east of the grocery store from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Free entertainment will feature Tank Anthony from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Hometown Family Market lot (bring your own chairs). Beer Garden entertainment will be the Davis Park & Case Band. Newly added will be Fire Dancers performing during intermission.

Saturday, June 14

Saturday will begin with a pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. east of the grocery store. The tractor ride registration will go from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Johnston and Gould Streets. Tractors will gather west of the grocery store (HM), 1st Street and Spring Street, the site of the start and finish of the ride.

Registration is $40 and includes breakfast and lunch. Lunch will be shredded beef or chicken sandwich, salad (macaroni, coleslaw or potato), chips and dessert. Drinks will be provided throughout the ride.

There will be one category this year: 12 MPH, and the ride will cover 51 miles from Gladbrook to Beaman where there will be a break. Garwin Shelter House will be the lunch spot. After lunch, tractors will head back to Gladbrook. Held rain or shine.

The cribbage tournament will take place at Peace Church. Register at 8:30 a.m., playtime is 9 a.m. There is a three dollar entry fee.

5K Walk/Run at City Park will see registration at 7 a.m., followed by the race at 8 a.m. Kids’ activities will start at City Park at 10 a.m., register at 9 a.m.

The car show registration will run 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the show going from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at City Park. The cost is $15. Awards will be given for: best of show, best paint, best exhaust, photographers choice, best rat rod, best motorcycle, longest distance traveled, kids choice, and top 20 trophies. Following awards, cruise to Westbrook Acres Nursing Home and around Union Grove Lake. All years, makes, models and motorcycles welcome. Dash plaques for the first 75 entrees. For more information, contact Josh Garrison at: 515-250-9171.

Scott Amusements rides and midway will continue. Firemen water ball contest will have a 1 p.m. registration at the north end of City Park. Attend the Panther Pavilion dedication at 1 p.m. in City Park.

Free face painting will be offered from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the Merchant and Business Exhibits continuing from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Free entertainment will be ANGUS KHAN in the Hometown Family Market parking lot from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The group is an AC/DC tribute band.

The Beer Garden will have entertainment by J J Ace.

Sunday, June 15

The festivities wrap up with a community church service at 10:30 a.m. at the Gladbrook Theater, followed by an omelet breakfast at Peace Church from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Food vendors

· Tama County Pork Producers Thursday to Saturday at 4 p.m.

· Tama County Cattlemen Friday at 4 p.m.

· Hometown Family Market Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

· Boba Tea Thursday through Saturday

· Corn Stand/Walking Taco Stand Thursday through Saturday at 4 p.m.

· The Pie Lady Thursday through Saturday at 4 p.m.

· Most Wanted Coffee City Park Saturday at 8:30 a.m.

Wagner credits the Corn Carnival’s longevity with dedicated volunteers.

“I know after the 100th year celebration there was a lot of concern this wouldn’t continue,” she said. “But a lot of us came together, younger people on the committee, really committed to making this a yearly celebration. I enjoy doing this, and we’ve definitely made a comeback and a lot of changes for the better. These little town festivals are slowly deteriorating and we’re glad to make (ours) bigger and better.”

To learn more, visit: https://www.gladbrookcorncarnival.org. Contact Wagner at: 641-328-9330 or melanieselken2000@gmail.com.