Cornfest Celebrates 30 Years in Verde Valley
Residents of Verde Valley and Sedona, take note: Cornfest is celebrating its 30th anniversary on Saturday, September 19, from 9 AM to 4 PM along Horamon Street, including the Community Center.
According to Tiffany Smith, the Parks and Recreation Supervisor, the event is expected to draw between 5,000 and 6,000 attendees.
“Cornfest highlights local agriculture, particularly the Hauser and Hauser Corn,” Smith said. He’s looking forward to his first Cornfest since moving to the area about four months ago. “It’s a family-friendly event that supports local craft and food vendors, while bringing together community members to enjoy summer and some really tasty corn.”
Attendees will find 76 vendors showcasing arts and crafts, plus at least 10 food vendors offering a variety of options like Mexican cuisine, ice cream, barbecue, and hot dogs. All vendor spaces are fully booked. Parks and Recreation has issued a warning to residents about potential online scams involving fake vendor fees. Official registration is exclusively through sportssites.com and eventeny.com.
The Arizona flywheelers will showcase tractors and flywheel engines at the community field. Visitors can also buy fresh Hauser cones, with proceeds benefiting the Kiwanis Club of Camp Verde.
The library is bringing in steam trailers and mini disc golf courses. The Verde Village will operate a dunk tank as a fundraiser, featuring familiar faces from the town council and employees, including Vice Mayor Wendie Escofier and Public Works Director Ken Klebs. There will also be a crafting area for kids.
Throughout the day, live music will fill the main tent, along with a nearby beer garden in the Horamon Street parking area, themed “Comment Land.” The performance schedule includes:
- The Lonely Valley at 9 AM
- Fletcher Lane Band at 10:45 AM
- Marco Donnelly at 12:45 PM
- Paul, Chris, and Friends at 2:30 PM
“The Fletcher Lane Band offers a vibrant mix of country charm and classic vibes,” their bio notes. “With three-part harmonies and a setlist that can move from toe-tapping country to classic hits from the 70s, they know how to keep the good times rolling.” The duo of Dan and Brandi Fletcher has been performing for years, and they recently welcomed talented Paula Lane into the mix.
Parking is free, although there are no designated lots, and space is limited. Public parking can be found along Main Street, City Hall, and Horamon Street.
Attendees are encouraged to bring water. “We love dogs here, but we recommend leaving pets at home,” Smith advised, adding that hats and sunscreen are a good idea due to the heat. Fans will be available, and large music tents will have swamp coolers to help keep everyone comfortable.
Smith also mentioned that the Farmers Market will coincide with Cornfest. It starts at 8 AM, just before Cornfest kicks off at 9 AM, offering visitors a chance to stop by before heading to the main event.
The town is still seeking volunteers for setup, takedown, and overall assistance. For more information, reach out to Camp Verde Parks and Recreation at (928) 554-0820, Option 3.
