The avon rotary corn festival
Is our club’s largest annual fundraiser, which has truly emerged as a major community event. When the club first began planning a community festival in 1986, we chose to celebrate corn because of its impact on our region. Corn has been a staple of our agricultural heritage ever since the Native Americans grew corn here as one of the “three sisters,” along with beans and squash.
The Festival, held every year on the second Saturday in August, draws thousands of people from our region to see friends, browse arts and crafts, listen to a wide range of music on two live stages, play games, eat lots of festival food, enjoy a locally brewed craft beer at our Beer Garden, participate in our annual corn eating contest and enjoy the day. We typically host over 135 craft vendors and 25 food vendors. The Festival culminates in a large outdoor concert by the popular party band The SkyCoasters from 7:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. Many food vendors continue to serve concert attendees throughout the evening.
Proceeds from the Festival are used to support many local, state, national and international service organizations and causes, including the Boy Scouts, the Avon Food Pantry, Teresa House, Linking Hands for Learning, Shelter Box, Honor Flight, the Genesee Valley Rotary Camp, Rotary International Youth Exchange, and the Rotary Foundation. The Avon Rotary Club would like to thank our sponsors, advertisers, vendors, and volunteers. Without your participation and support, the Festival would not be possible.
The Festival has handicapped parking available, as well as regular shuttle service from the main parking area, which is located only minutes from the Festival site at the Avon Middle School.
Pets are not permitted at the Festival. Please leave them at home.
Larry Tetamore ©
Who Attends the corn fest?
Based on data compiled by the Livingston County Department of Economic Development, over 6,200 visitors from across New York state (and beyond) came to the Corn Fest in 2023. Visitors spent an average of 116 minutes at the Festival. Learn more below.
6,200+
VISITORS IN 2023
116
AVERAGE VISIT TIME, IN MINUTES
32%
OF VISITORS COME FROM OUTSIDE OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
Meet the 2024 Corn fest Steering Committee
The Corn Festival would not be possible without the hard work of many dedicated volunteers.
General Chair
Collin T Hayes
Secretary
Helen Zamboni
Security
Shawn Rice, Rodney George & Jim Ryan
Transportation & Signs
Greg Antkowiak
Arts & Crafts
Karl Sawicki, Josh Tonra & Hans Koomen
Corn Booth
Tom Vonglis & Joe Yantachka
Corn Procurement
Jeff Herberger
Games
Karen Vanderbilt
Food
Mike Ford
Entertainment
Collin Hayes, Paul Phillips & Josh Tonra
Skycoasters
Tom Vonglis
Sponsorship
Katie DeGraff, Kirk Vanderbilt & David Kilgore
Grounds
Mike Giso & Rob Lupisella
Souvenirs
Jean Antkowiak
Publicity
Robert Mellen
Social Media
Mike Ford
50/50
Cat Jensen & Richelle Ford
Corn Eating Contest
Cat Jensen
Beer Garden
Kirk Vanderbilt & Laurie Vonglis
Volunteer Coordinator
Jaime Lovullo
The Rotary Club of Avon
Is an organization where service-minded individuals unite to provide resources and take action for those in need, which supports lasting change in our world, in our community and in each other.