The 2025 Corn Carnival Committee Grand Parade float pictured on Friday, June 13, 2025, in downtown Gladbrook advertising the 2026 festival which is set to take place next week, June 11-14. PHOTO COURTESY MELANIE WAGNER/CORN CARNIVAL COMMITTEE

GLADBROOK – Gladbrook is set to host the community’s much-anticipated 104th annual Corn Carnival town festival beginning next week on Thursday, June 11, and lasting through Sunday morning.

The newspaper recently connected with the Corn Carnival Committee via email by way of member Megan Gienger who spoke on behalf of the organization. When asked how her small but mighty band of superstar volunteers arrived at the 2026 theme of “If You Shuck It, They Will Come,” Gienger explained it was selected with two things in mind – America’s 250th birthday this summer (red, white, and blue) and the classic 1989 film “Field of Dreams,” based in Iowa, in which star Kevin Costner’s character states, “If you build it, he will come.”

The newspaper’s interview with Gienger is printed below.

1. Who are the Corn Carnival Committee members this year?

The 2026 Corn Carnival Committee includes volunteers Dennis Gienger, Andy Brallier, Carly Heindselman, Samantha DeWitt, Melanie Wagner, Wayne Nekola, Anna Miller, Logan Koester, Josh Garrison, Tandi Davis, Scott Murty, Bonnie Raum-Murty, Dawn Peters, Sam Peters, Spencer Goos, Brandon Wall, Megan Gienger, and many other volunteers who put in time to help make this event run smoothly.

2. Is there anything new to Corn Carnival this year you’d like visitors to take note of? What events in general would you like to highlight for those who’ve never attended the festival?

New this year is the Corn Eating Contest that will take place on Friday evening in the Hometown Family Market parking lot. Registration will be from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the lot, with the event happening at 9 p.m. One must be 18 or older to participate. Cost is $5 with the winner receiving a cash prize!

3. Tell us more about the tractor ride. Is this something people can watch?

The 2026 tractor ride will be held on Saturday, June 13. Registration and breakfast will be held east of Hometown Family Market at 7 a.m. and the ride will begin at 8:30 a.m. The ride will be traveling to Dysart and back to Gladbrook with lunch provided. Truck and trailer parking will be at the Tama County Fairgrounds parking lot. People are able to watch along the road, but typically they don’t.

4. What are the details of the Little Mr. or Miss Corn Carnival contest?

The 2026 Little Mr. or Miss Corn Carnival candidates pictured in City Park on Sunday, March 31. Front row from left, Liby Bauer and Quinn Plett; back from left, Cameron Garrison and Emberly Droigk. PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGAN GIENGER

The Little Mr or Miss Corn Carnival is open to Gladbrook children going into second or third grade in the fall of 2026. The signup was Sunday, May 31, where the candidates met at City Park to have a group photo taken. The winner will be crowned Thursday, June 11, at 6:15 p.m. on the northwest side of City Park. The Corn Carnival Queen will be crowned shortly after and the Kiddie Parade will begin at 6:30 p.m.

5. Is the Collector’s Fair at the Memorial Building still taking place?

It is not happening this year. The attendance has been low the past couple of years and it is hard to get people to bring in their collections.

6. What are the details behind a grant the Corn Carnival Committee recently received?

The Corn Carnival submitted a grant for new Corn Carnival banners to hang on Second Street light poles and for a new 5-row set of bleachers for event seating. The Gladbrook Community Foundation granted the Gladbrook Corn Carnival $6,500 to go towards these purchases. It is my understanding that the new banners will not be received in time for the 2026 Gladbrook Corn Carnival.

7. Anything else you’d like to highlight?

We will have free balloon artists and face painting daily!

Thursday evening highlights include:

*Dueling Pianos (free entertainment) from 7-9 p.m. in the Hometown Family Market parking lot (bring your lawn chairs)

*Beer garden entertainment – karaoke with Starlight from 8 p.m. to midnight

Friday highlights include:

*Merchant and Business Exhibits – located upstairs in the Gladbrook City Centre and west of the food vendors on Second Street. Open from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

*The Grand Parade at 6:30 p.m.

*Crash N’ Bash after the parade (east of NAPA)

*Trevor Parrish (free entertainment) from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Hometown Family Market parking lot (bring your lawn chairs)

*Beer garden entertainment – JJ Ace from 8 p.m. to midnight

Saturday highlights include:

*5K Run/Walk – located in Gladbrook City Park. Registration begins at 7 a.m. with the race starting at 8 a.m.

*Cribbage tournament – located at Peace Church. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and play begins at 9 a.m.

*Kids activities – located at City Park. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with the activities starting at 10 a.m.

*Car Show – located in the lot south of City Park. Registration is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The show ends at 4 p.m.

*Wrestling Show – located east of NAPA from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

*Merchant and Business Exhibits – located upstairs in the Gladbrook City Centre and west of the food vendors on Second Street. Open from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

*Exit 185 (free entertainment) from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Hometown Family Market parking lot (bring your lawn chairs).

*Beer garden entertainment – Nick Sorensen from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Ice Breakers from 8 p.m. to midnight

For more information, visit the Gladbrook Corn Carnival Facebook page or website: www.gladbrookcorncarnival.org.