Sweet Corn Festival Security Ramped Up
Safety first.
It was an unfortunate turn of events at the St. Jude's Sweet Corn Festival, as unruly patrons began causing security issues at the event a few years back.
That's all changing, as a small $5 admission fee is being charged to pay for an extra police presence to ramp up security. They expect 21,000 people to attend the festivities this weekend, with above security measures in place, plus checking for weapons and not allowing backpacks in.
There are also only two access points to enter. It's a bummer that a longstanding popular event for the community has come to this, but many who were here when the hubbub started remember it well. Steve Oldridge is the chairperson of the Sweet Corn Festival, and told KCRG, "We want everybody to come out, feel safe, enjoy the time with family and friends and one of the last weekends of summer and school starts and everybody's lives get back to normal."
It's a commendable stance that will hopefully keep this festival going for years to come. Remaining hours for the event this weekend at St. Jude Catholic Church, 50 Edgewood Rd. NW, are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 Sunday.