July 16, 2004
Arizona’s got its five famous Cs — copper, cattle, cotton, citrus and climate — that first helped the state’s economy take off. But another, lesser known C the state produces is corn.
Celebrate Arizona-grown ears and kernels at the 12th annual Camp Verde Cornfest 5 p.m. today and Saturday at Camp Verde Community Center. The free festival honors Camp Verde’s Hauser & Hauser Farms.
"They grow the most incredible sweet corn," says Candace Hammond, special events coordinator with Camp Verde Parks and Recreation. "So we try to get families together to have a good time and eat the corn we all love and have grown up with."
Part of that fun includes a string of zany contests for festival-goers of all ages. "We have corn-eating, cornshucking, hog-calling and cow pie-throwing contests. There’s a corniest joke competition," says Hammond.
Visitors can browse corn crafts and other items, and enjoy a full-service beer garden, all-you-can-eat roasted corn on the cob and oldfashioned ice cream. There will be games, rides, face painting and a jumper.
The Burnett Family Bluegrass Band from Flagstaff will provide live music and the 2004 corn king and corn queen will make appearances.
The event also allows cooks to submit their favorite corn recipes, some of which will be published in the 2005 Corn Festival Cookbook. Drop off recipes at the festival, or mail them to Camp Verde Parks & Recreation, c/o Candy Hammond, P.O. Box 710, Camp Verde, AZ 86322. Recipes can also be submitted online at www.cvaz.org. To learn more, call (928) 567-0535, Ext. 136.
