The Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis hosts the Valparaiso Corn Roast Fest every year. On the day of the Fest, Central Park Plaza is blocked off and turned into an entertainment destination for the evening.
“Each year the Corn Roast keeps growing. We should generate over $20,000 tonight, which we donate back to the community and Riley Children’s Hospital,” said Steve Bobinski, Corn Roast Committee Chair and Valpo Kiwanis President.
At the Corn Roast Fest, families and friends gather to share their love of good, old-fashioned, Hoosier-grown corn, as well as live music and treats from vendors. The event is staffed by Kiwanis volunteers, who enjoy the event just as much as the attendees.
“My first Corn Fest I was dipping corn, so I was covered in butter, and I was able to get a friend of mine to join me. My second year, I was in the beer tent and actually met someone who we thought was the reincarnation of Freddy Mercury,” Kiwanis Member and Volunteer Coordinator at Dunes Hospice, Nancy Nielsen said while laughing. “He looked just like him! And it’s just great because so many people that I know from the community are here, so it’s kind of nice to just mingle with everybody.”
This year, Dick Diamond and the Dusters, as well as the 80’s tribute band, Bueller, played. The crowd watching the bands swayed with them and followed each lead the singers gave, whether it was waving their hands or clapping. There was also a toddler who danced in front of the stage. He really stole the show.
The Corn Fest is one of Kiwanis’ largest events throughout the year, but the organization is constantly helping the community.
“We raise money to give back to those in need,” said Bobinski. “We support some shelters in Valpo, we support the parks system, we support Junior Ki Clubs in the schools, as well as Aktion Club at Opportunity Enterprises. We also give away scholarships for graduating seniors around Porter County. That is all financial support, but we also deliver Meals on Wheels and have about a dozen other volunteer events.”
Tim Bucher is the Kiwanis Vice President-Elect and Kiwanian of the Year 2020. He also owns Bucher Technologies. Bucher is in charge of Pancake Day, which is one of Kiwanis’ annual fundraisers.
“The Pancake Breakfast has been going on since 1950…” Bucher trailed off, trying to remember the year. “Well, it’s about as old as I am!” he said with a smile. “This year we had it at the Expo Center. We ended up raising about $26,000 from Pancake Day, so we were really excited about that. The next Pancake Day is the first Saturday in March.”
Kiwanis is a way for all kinds of people from all walks of life to volunteer. The Valparaiso Kiwanis recently had a large influx of young people, which is a great way for them to network while also giving back.
“I joined Kiwanis because I love everything they do for the community and everything they do for kids,” said Nielsen. “Once I joined, I discovered it’s just a really wonderful group of people who are really giving. They’re just a very selfless, giving group.”
Volunteers are integral to a good event, but sponsors and funding are just as important—how else could Kiwanis buy enough ears of corn for everyone in the crowd?
“Bucher Tech is a bronze sponsor of the Corn Fest, but we just sponsored Special Kids Special Needs on Monday,” Bucher said. “But our biggest thing at Bucher Tech right now is our grant program where non-profits can apply, and we give grants to them. We also try to support anything Kiwanis because it’s very important to our team.”
The Corn Roast Fest is one easy way for event-goers to give back to their community while enjoying delicious food and live music.
