The Cokato Corn Carnival Committee is pleased to announce that George and Violet Peterson are the grand marshals for the 2007 Corn Carnival parade. The Petersons are life-long members of the Cokato community, dedicated members of the Cokato business scene, and have been tireless volunteers for a number of civic endeavors, including the Corn Carnival. The 58th Annual Cokato Corn Carnival will be Monday-Wednesday, Aug. 13-15. A number of activities are planned at Peterson Park, in downtown Cokato, the locale for the carnival. Events begin on Sunday, Aug. 12, with a community-wide ecumenical worship service at 7 p.m. on the main stage in Peterson Park. Monday, Aug. 13, the parades take center stage. The kiddie parade lineup begins at 5:30 p.m. at Broadway Avenue and 7th Street East. The kiddie parade will be followed by the main parade at 6 p.m. The parade route this year returns to Broadway Avenue, commencing at 7th Street East, north to 2nd Street, east to Millard Avenue, and ending at Peterson Park. Immediately following the end of the parades will be entertainment by Rachel Kurtz on the main stage, sponsored by the Cokato Ministerial Association. The food stands and midway rides in the park will also be open Monday evening. Activities for Tuesday begin at noon when the midway and rides open. Food stands will also be open beginning in the afternoon. Registration for the children’s prize drawings runs from noon-3 p.m., with drawings at 3:15 p.m. The culmination of the day will be the 60th Annual Miss Cokato Coronation ceremony, on the main stage, beginning at 8 p.m. Ending the day is the drawing for the four $100 prizes at 10 p.m. Wednesday’s activities begin in the afternoon with the children’s prize drawings, midway and rides, and food stands. Registration for the children’s prize drawings runs from noon-3 p.m., with drawings at 3:15 p.m. At 2 p.m., The Amazing Jeffo will entertain at the main stage prior to the prize drawings. A corn-on-the-cob eating contest will take place in front of the main stage at 6 p.m. Wednesday evening’s entertainment schedule begins with the Mid Minnesota Concert Band at 7 p.m., followed by the band Diamond Rio beginning at 8 p.m. The finale of the carnival arrives at 10 p.m., Wednesday, with the drawing for the cash prizes ($1,000, $1,500, and $2,500; along with seven $50 alternate prizes) and the separate drawing for 2007 Ford Fusion.
