MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

Fort Gibson

Discussion

March 23, 2009

Town’s about to get corn-y for festival

By Don Foster



Fort Gibson turns back the clock in late June to stage its first Sweet Corn Festival, and Oklahoma is invited.

Fort Gibson is going all out on June 26 and 27 to recreate an aura of yesteryear serving up family entertainment and corn prepared just about every possible way it can be cooked.

Fort Gibson has ample river bottom land on which some of the sweetest corn you've ever tasted is grown. Town Trustee Myra Cookson, chairman of the Fort Gibson Sports and Recreation Committee, expects the event to rival other major state festivals.

“Porter has its peaches, Stilwell has its strawberries, and Oklahoma will soon think 'sweet corn' when they think of Fort Gibson,” Cookson said.

Corn is a major crop in the Fort Gibson area.

“Just about every high school student in Fort Gibson has picked corn or worked on a farm at one time or another,” Cookson said.

Streets in Fort Gibson's small downtown area will be lined with vendors during the festival, and there will be plenty of corn for sale to those who want to take some home, Cookson said. Proceeds from the event will go toward construction of a new sports complex for the town.

Festival events begin at 6 p.m. June 26 with a parade and corn shucking contest.

Other events during the festival include games for children and adults, a talent show, beauty pageant featuring a Miss Corn Queen and Miss Niblet (junior queen), a living history enactment and buggy rides between downtown and the old fort that was established in 1824.

Numerous vendors will be available both days.

The Saturday night finale includes a free downtown street dance followed by a professional quality fireworks display.

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