Minnesota summers do not stop giving. With the warm weather and sunshine come boating and swimming in any of our 10,000 glorious lakes, dining al fresco at our favorite restaurants, and hiking through scenic parks.
But one of the most overlooked summer activities is the small-town festival. They’re all over the state, and they are filled to the brim with fun. One of the best is a butter corn festival in the small town of Sleepy Eye. Read on to learn about this fun summertime tradition:
Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, is a small town in southern Minnesota with a population of about 3,500. It’s a little over 100 miles southwest of the Twin Cities, about a two-hour drive.
Tony Webster/Flickr
While the town may be out of the way for most Minnesotans, it’s well worth the visit. The southern Minnesota scenery will welcome you as you make your way into town.
Google Maps
Sleepy Eye’s quiet downtown area is the centerpiece to its annual Buttered Corn Days. This corn festival is nearly 60 years old!
Jatakuck/Wikimedia Commons
The festival includes just about every attraction you can think of when you imagine small-town festivals. Vendors will be there, selling everything from crafts to food.
Sleepy Eye Buttered Corn Days/Facebook
There are plenty of activities to enjoy, too. A parade through town will make anyone feel festive, and a nightly street dance will allow you to enjoy live music.
Sleepy Eye Buttered Corn Days/Facebook
If you’re a carnivore, there’s a BBQ rib contest that you don’t want to miss. Wash it all down with a drink or two from the beer garden.
Sleepy Eye Buttered Corn Days/Facebook
Of course, you can’t miss the corn. On the first night of the festival, it’s free! That’s right, you’ll find free buttered corn if you visit Buttered Corn Days this year.
Sleepy Eye Buttered Corn Days/Facebook
All in all, this delightful buttered corn festival is perfect for those who are looking for a taste of small-town living.
Sleepy Eye Buttered Corn Days/Facebook
Head to Sleepy Eye on August 16 and 17 for corn and merriment!
Sleepy Eye Buttered Corn Festival/Facebook
Have you been to this festival? For more information, check out the Buttered Corn Days Facebook page. And if you can’t get enough of Minnesota’s small town festivals, check out our past list of the 11 best small-town festivals in Minnesota.
Tony Webster/Flickr
Google Maps
Jatakuck/Wikimedia Commons
Sleepy Eye Buttered Corn Days/Facebook
Sleepy Eye Buttered Corn Festival/Facebook
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