July 30 - AUGUST 2, 2026
Join us for the 28th Annual Sweet Corn Days in Estherville Iowa!
2026 Tentative schedule - subject to change
THURSDAY July 30th
4:30 - 6:30pm
Downtown Market
6pm Bags Tournament - Grand Central Depot. $20 Registration Fee, Double Elimination, Pre-register before event or at 5:30pm day of at the Grand Central Depot 712-362-8990
5-6pm
Emmet County Conservation - Ambassador Animals, Kids Crafts and Yard Games - Library Square
5:30pm
Presentation of the Flames and Opening Ceremony - Hosted by Excel Arts and Culture in Library Square
5:35pm Burning of the Cobs - Library Square
5:45
FREE Smore's roast them yourself over a bonfire! Library Square
6:30pm Kids Fishing Competition - Carrico Heights Pond - Children 15 and under. All kids must be accompanied by an adult! Bring your own poles and equipment.
FRIDAY July 31st
10:30am Pop into Storytime: Corny Adventures Await! Storytime room of the Estherville Public Library
1pm
Sweet Corn Days Golf Tournament 4 person Scramble tournament with 1pm shotgun start!
Register HERE! Only the first 27 Teams allowed.
5-9:30pm
Food Vendors: options include desserts, BBQ, Fair Foods, Pie and so much more
5:30-8pm
Sweet Cars Cruise In - Hosted by the Black Knights
5:30-7:30pm Antique Tractor Show - North 6th Street
5:30-7:30pm Junior Vet Clinic - Become a Junior Veterinarian! Learn how real veterinarians examine animals, read X-rays, listen to heartbeats, and care for stuffed animal patients with the Estherville Veterinary Clinic! West side of Library Square.
5:30pm Little Miss and Mr. Sweet Corn Pageant - Center Stage - Must be pre-registered (Download Form)
6:30pm
Kids Games: FREE to all kids, Old fashioned games divided up by age categories.
7:45pm
Minute to Win It - Center Stage. Do you have what it takes to win it? fun audience participation games!
8:45pm
Hula Hoop Show Down: We've got the hoops ready! Categories for all ages! Prizes for winners
After dark/9:30pm
FIREWORKS: brought to you by Excel Estherville!
After Fireworks/approximately 10pm Free family movie in the park! Bring your lawn chairs or blanket and settle in for the movie Hoppers with family and friends in Library Square!
SATURDAY AUGUST 1st
10am-4pm Merchant Market! Vendors selling all types of goods including handmade crafts! Located on the Court House Square
-Register to be a vendor HERE!
10am-4pm Food Vendors: Variety of different foods available. Located on 7th Street!
10:30am
Parade:
runs along Central Avenue from 18th street to 5th street. Bring some lawn chairs and check out the biggest parade in NW Iowa! Sponsored by Estherville Communications!
- Float Decorating Competition - Design the best float for a chance to win a first place prize!
12pm SHARP
FREE SWEETCORN! Over 6,000 ears of corn are given out! Located on 1st Avenue N. Sponsored by Avera Holy Family Hospital!
12-2pm
Bubbles Giant Bubble Show and Hands on Bubble Stations in Library Square
12-3pm Balloon Animals: Free, in Library Square
12 - 3pm Rock'n the Square - bring a lawn chair or find a picnic table and enjoy music!
12:30-3:30pm
Kids Barrell Train Free train rides for kids around downtown, takes off from the Courthouse Block of North 6th Street
12-4pm
Black Knights Car Club
Sweet Car Show. Located on 1st Ave N and N 8th Street!
12-4pm
Inflatable Fun! 7 huge inflatables for all ages! Only $15 for an all day play wristband! Located on N 6th Street
12-4pm
Face Painting - $5 per design by a professional artist. Library Square
1pm
Firefighter Water Competition: Watch the fireman compete in this fun contest! Located on N 7th Street
2pm
Sidewalk Chalk Contest - South section of Library Square. Age categories of 8 and under, 9-14 and 15 and up includes adults! Pre-registration encouraged but not required. Prizes for winners. Chalk supplied but welcome to bring your own.
2pm Golf Ball Race - Corner of 1st Avenue North and North 6th Street, buy your golf ball for $10, 600 golf balls will roll down the hill the first place wins $1000 cash, second place wins $500 cash, third through seventh place wins $100 cash. Do not need to be present to win! (Purchase Golf Balls at the Chamber office or tent prior to the race)
4pm -Mud Volleyball Tournament hosted by the Estherville Fire Department. Teams of 6 play round robin style in Joe Hoye Park at the Swinging Bridge.
-Register Here!
Registration due by August 1st. contact Ryan Van Wye at 712-209-4673 with questions.
9pm-1am
Street Dance, Live Band,
Schmidt Brothers,
playing your favorites from past and present! 21+ for beer but ages 19-20 allowed entry! $10 cover charge! Food Vendors available during the Street Dance! Rain location is the Eagle Lake Building at the Emmet County Fairgrounds.
SUNDAY AUGUST 2nd
9am-noon
Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast. Located in the Duhigg Center
10am Disc Golf Throwdown at Rivers Edge DGC: 9-9:30am check in.
- Quick players meeting before start, first round shotgun start begins at 10am with a 1 hour lunch break between rounds, second round to follow
- Register Here
1pm
Des Moines River Fun Float: Drop boats at A17 Bridge Access. Park at 4th Street Bridge Access. Please use caution and float at your own risk. Must provide your own boat/float. Hosted by the Emmet County Water Trails Association! Float at your own risk! Subject to river conditions!
Kayak Rental Available HERE
1-7pm Free Swim & Pool Party - Estherville Aquatic Center. Your chance to check out Estherville's outdoor pool at no cost! Slide down the big water slide, give the rock walls a climb and so much more! Concessions available for purchase.
Estherville and Sweet Corn Days merchandise is available for purchase starting on Wednesday July 29th at 10am at the Chamber Office and Downtown throughout the event at the Chamber Tent in Library Square.
Parade Line Up - If you did not register by the dead line and are not listed you are welcome to join us please just fall in line after the listed entries and before Santa! - The parade will line up on S 18th Street at Central Avenue
THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 SPONSORS!
Diamond Sponsors
TITANIUM SPONSORS
PLATINUM SPONSORS
