This Corn-Themed Festival In Southern Minnesota Has Been Going Strong Since 1968

If you love corn - and, frankly, what proper Midwesterner doesn’t? - you’re going to want to mark your calendars for this Minnesota corn festival that’s been celebrating those golden ears for more than half a century. Olivia, Minnesota, “The Corn Capital” - not “of Minnesota” or “of the World,” just “The Corn Capital” - hosts its Corn Capital Days during the last week in July each year.

Olivia, the Corn Capital, takes its title very seriously. No - really - they don’t mess around.

It uses a corn theme in much of its municipal décor.

It’s chamber of commerce lets you know exactly where on Lincoln Avenue it’s located.

And to make sure everyone else knows that Olivia is The Corn Capital, it hosts Corn Capital Days during the last week of July every year.

The town has been doing so since 1968.

And not surprisingly, much of the entertainment and activities keep with the general corn theme.

But who doesn’t love a parade?

There are plenty of kids activities, like pony rides and petting zoos.

And those that don’t involve animals, like bounce houses, slides, and contests.

You’ll also find vendors, live music, and dancing - as you’d expect at a summer festival in Minnesota.

Of course, there’s corn shucking.

Which leads to corn roasting.

And best of all, corn eating. Which may be the best part of Corn Capital Days.

Fresh. Summer. Sweet corn.

So be sure to mark your calendars for Corn Capital Days during the last week of July. For more information, visit the Corn Capital Days page on Facebook. If you decide to travel to Olivia for the festival from elsewhere, be sure to pack all the road trip essentials you'll need for your journey.

Have you been to Corn Capital Days? Tell us about your experience in the comments! What are some other small town festivals in Minnesota that we should know about?