The 54th Annual Cokato Corn Carnival will take place Sunday-Wednesday, Aug. 10-13 at Peterson Park in downtown Cokato. Sunday, August 10 Events begin with a community-wide ecumenical worship service at 7 p.m. Sunday on the main stage. Monday, August 11 Parades take center stage Monday, Aug. 11. The kiddie parade begins at 6 p.m., immediately followed by the main parade. The Berge Family will entertain on the main stage after the parades. This gospel band is sponsored by the Cokato Ministerial Association. The food stands and midway rides in the park will also open Monday evening. Tuesday, August 12 Activities begin at noon when the midway and rides open for the day, weather permitting. Food stands begin serving in the afternoon. Registration for the children’s prize drawings runs from noon-3 p.m., with drawings at 3:15 p.m. Culmination of the day will be the 57th Annual Miss Cokato coronation ceremony beginning at 8 p.m. on the main stage. Drawing for the four $100 prizes will follow the coronation around 10 p.m. Wednesday, August 13 Wednesday’s activities also begin in the afternoon with children’s prize drawings, midway rides and food stands. Registration for children’s prize drawings runs from noon-3 p.m. with the drawing at 3:15 p.m. Magician Tom Whitcomb will perform on the main stage at 2:30 p.m. The Cokato Historical Society will sponsor its sixth “Not-So-Annual” classic vehicle revue from 5-1 p.m. in front of the museum on Fourth Street. Wednesday evening entertainment will be the Mid-Minnesota Concert Band at 7 p.m. and the band Lip Service at 8 p.m. All music acts will play on the main stage. The carnival finale will take place at 10 p.m. Wednesday, with cash prize drawings of up to $2,500. A separate drawing will be held for a 2003 Ford Mustang two-door coupe. Carnival attendees are eligible for the cash prize drawings and free corn-on-the-cob by purchasing an official Corn Carnival button for only three dollars. For a complete summary of carnival activities and fun facts about past carnivals and Cokato royalty, check out the official carnival Web site at www.cokato.mn.us/carnival.
