8-22-11 Arcola's 41st Annual Broom Corn Festival
Broom Corn Festival
Arcola celebrates its heritage as the "Broom Corn Capital of the World" with the renowned annual Broom Corn Festival. Visitors can see broom activities, arts/crafts, free entertainment, great food, and a gigantic parade with the Famous Lawn Rangers. Additional, visitors can participate in the ABC 5K and 10K races. The event, held the weekend after Labor Day, honors Arcola's position in the late nineteenth century as a center of broom corn production.
Arcola is famous for the Lawn Rangers, a "precision lawn mower drill team" that marches in formation with brooms and lawn mowers. Every year since 1980, the Lawn Rangers have marched in the Arcola Broomcorn Festival Parade. This unique custom was publicized by humor columnist Dave Barry, who marched with the Lawn Rangers in 1995 and has written columns about them. In 2003, President Barack Obama marched with the Lawn Rangers in the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade to launch his race for the senate. As a result, The World Famous Amazing Arcola Lawn Rangers were invited to march in the 2009 Inaugural Parade in Washington D.C.
Schedule of Events
Friday -- September 9
9 AM -- Festival opens
3 PM -- Grand Marshals Ron and Beth Vyverberg honored at Arcola Center
4 PM -- National Broom Sweeping Contest
4 PM -- Beer Tent opens
8 PM to midnight -- Feudin' Hillbillies in Beer Tent
Saturday -- September 10
7-11 AM -- AYCE Pancake & Sausage Breakfast in Locust Street firehouse
8 AM -- 34th Annual ABC 5K & 10K Race
9 AM -- Vendors open
Noon -- Beer Tent opens
12:30 PM -- Taylor Wagner performs on Oak St. stage
3 PM -- Parade
5 PM -- Taylor Wagner perfoms on Oak St. stage
8 PM to midnight -- Matt Poss & Rollin' Thunder in beer tent
Sunday -- September 11
7 AM -- First Christian Church Services
9 AM -- Vendors open
11 AM -- Jaycees Kiddie Tractor Pull (Oak St.)
1 PM -- Gospel music -- First Christian Church
2 PM -- Chuck Wicks -- Oak St. stage
4 PM -- 8 PM -- Porta Party DJs
5 PM -- Festival closes
Over 150 food, arts & crafts, and street vendors!
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Broom Corn Festival
Arcola celebrates its heritage as the "Broom Corn Capital of the World" with the renowned annual Broom Corn Festival. Visitors can see broom activities, arts/crafts, free entertainment, great food, and a gigantic parade with the Famous Lawn Rangers. Additional, visitors can participate in the ABC 5K and 10K races. The event, held the weekend after Labor Day, honors Arcola's position in the late nineteenth century as a center of broom corn production.
Arcola is famous for the Lawn Rangers, a "precision lawn mower drill team" that marches in formation with brooms and lawn mowers. Every year since 1980, the Lawn Rangers have marched in the Arcola Broomcorn Festival Parade. This unique custom was publicized by humor columnist Dave Barry, who marched with the Lawn Rangers in 1995 and has written columns about them. In 2003, President Barack Obama marched with the Lawn Rangers in the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade to launch his race for the senate. As a result, The World Famous Amazing Arcola Lawn Rangers were invited to march in the 2009 Inaugural Parade in Washington D.C.
Schedule of Events
Friday -- September 9
9 AM -- Festival opens
3 PM -- Grand Marshals Ron and Beth Vyverberg honored at Arcola Center
4 PM -- National Broom Sweeping Contest
4 PM -- Beer Tent opens
8 PM to midnight -- Feudin' Hillbillies in Beer Tent
Saturday -- September 10
7-11 AM -- AYCE Pancake & Sausage Breakfast in Locust Street firehouse
8 AM -- 34th Annual ABC 5K & 10K Race
9 AM -- Vendors open
Noon -- Beer Tent opens
12:30 PM -- Taylor Wagner performs on Oak St. stage
3 PM -- Parade
5 PM -- Taylor Wagner perfoms on Oak St. stage
8 PM to midnight -- Matt Poss & Rollin' Thunder in beer tent
Sunday -- September 11
7 AM -- First Christian Church Services
9 AM -- Vendors open
11 AM -- Jaycees Kiddie Tractor Pull (Oak St.)
1 PM -- Gospel music -- First Christian Church
2 PM -- Chuck Wicks -- Oak St. stage
4 PM -- 8 PM -- Porta Party DJs
5 PM -- Festival closes
Over 150 food, arts & crafts, and street vendors!
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Broom Corn Festival
Arcola celebrates its heritage as the "Broom Corn Capital of the World" with the renowned annual Broom Corn Festival. Visitors can see broom activities, arts/crafts, free entertainment, great food, and a gigantic parade with the Famous Lawn Rangers. Additional, visitors can participate in the ABC 5K and 10K races. The event, held the weekend after Labor Day, honors Arcola's position in the late nineteenth century as a center of broom corn production.
Arcola is famous for the Lawn Rangers, a "precision lawn mower drill team" that marches in formation with brooms and lawn mowers. Every year since 1980, the Lawn Rangers have marched in the Arcola Broomcorn Festival Parade. This unique custom was publicized by humor columnist Dave Barry, who marched with the Lawn Rangers in 1995 and has written columns about them. In 2003, President Barack Obama marched with the Lawn Rangers in the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade to launch his race for the senate. As a result, The World Famous Amazing Arcola Lawn Rangers were invited to march in the 2009 Inaugural Parade in Washington D.C.
Schedule of Events
Friday -- September 9
9 AM -- Festival opens
3 PM -- Grand Marshals Ron and Beth Vyverberg honored at Arcola Center
4 PM -- National Broom Sweeping Contest
4 PM -- Beer Tent opens
8 PM to midnight -- Feudin' Hillbillies in Beer Tent
Saturday -- September 10
7-11 AM -- AYCE Pancake & Sausage Breakfast in Locust Street firehouse
8 AM -- 34th Annual ABC 5K & 10K Race
9 AM -- Vendors open
Noon -- Beer Tent opens
12:30 PM -- Taylor Wagner performs on Oak St. stage
3 PM -- Parade
5 PM -- Taylor Wagner perfoms on Oak St. stage
8 PM to midnight -- Matt Poss & Rollin' Thunder in beer tent
Sunday -- September 11
7 AM -- First Christian Church Services
9 AM -- Vendors open
11 AM -- Jaycees Kiddie Tractor Pull (Oak St.)
1 PM -- Gospel music -- First Christian Church
2 PM -- Chuck Wicks -- Oak St. stage
4 PM -- 8 PM -- Porta Party DJs
5 PM -- Festival closes
Over 150 food, arts & crafts, and street vendors!
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Broom Corn Festival
Arcola celebrates its heritage as the "Broom Corn Capital of the World" with the renowned annual Broom Corn Festival. Visitors can see broom activities, arts/crafts, free entertainment, great food, and a gigantic parade with the Famous Lawn Rangers. Additional, visitors can participate in the ABC 5K and 10K races. The event, held the weekend after Labor Day, honors Arcola's position in the late nineteenth century as a center of broom corn production.
Arcola is famous for the Lawn Rangers, a "precision lawn mower drill team" that marches in formation with brooms and lawn mowers. Every year since 1980, the Lawn Rangers have marched in the Arcola Broomcorn Festival Parade. This unique custom was publicized by humor columnist Dave Barry, who marched with the Lawn Rangers in 1995 and has written columns about them. In 2003, President Barack Obama marched with the Lawn Rangers in the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade to launch his race for the senate. As a result, The World Famous Amazing Arcola Lawn Rangers were invited to march in the 2009 Inaugural Parade in Washington D.C.
Schedule of Events
Friday -- September 9
9 AM -- Festival opens
3 PM -- Grand Marshals Ron and Beth Vyverberg honored at Arcola Center
4 PM -- National Broom Sweeping Contest
4 PM -- Beer Tent opens
8 PM to midnight -- Feudin' Hillbillies in Beer Tent
Saturday -- September 10
7-11 AM -- AYCE Pancake & Sausage Breakfast in Locust Street firehouse
8 AM -- 34th Annual ABC 5K & 10K Race
9 AM -- Vendors open
Noon -- Beer Tent opens
12:30 PM -- Taylor Wagner performs on Oak St. stage
3 PM -- Parade
5 PM -- Taylor Wagner perfoms on Oak St. stage
8 PM to midnight -- Matt Poss & Rollin' Thunder in beer tent
Sunday -- September 11
7 AM -- First Christian Church Services
9 AM -- Vendors open
11 AM -- Jaycees Kiddie Tractor Pull (Oak St.)
1 PM -- Gospel music -- First Christian Church
2 PM -- Chuck Wicks -- Oak St. stage
4 PM -- 8 PM -- Porta Party DJs
5 PM -- Festival closes
Over 150 food, arts & crafts, and street vendors!
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Arcola celebrates its heritage as the "Broom Corn Capital of the World" with the renowned annual Broom Corn Festival. Visitors can see broom activities, arts/crafts, free entertainment, great food, and a gigantic parade with the Famous Lawn Rangers. Additional, visitors can participate in the ABC 5K and 10K races. The event, held the weekend after Labor Day, honors Arcola's position in the late nineteenth century as a center of broom corn production.
Arcola is famous for the Lawn Rangers, a "precision lawn mower drill team" that marches in formation with brooms and lawn mowers. Every year since 1980, the Lawn Rangers have marched in the Arcola Broomcorn Festival Parade. This unique custom was publicized by humor columnist Dave Barry, who marched with the Lawn Rangers in 1995 and has written columns about them. In 2003, President Barack Obama marched with the Lawn Rangers in the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade to launch his race for the senate. As a result, The World Famous Amazing Arcola Lawn Rangers were invited to march in the 2009 Inaugural Parade in Washington D.C.
Schedule of Events
Friday -- September 9
9 AM -- Festival opens
3 PM -- Grand Marshals Ron and Beth Vyverberg honored at Arcola Center
4 PM -- National Broom Sweeping Contest
4 PM -- Beer Tent opens
8 PM to midnight -- Feudin' Hillbillies in Beer Tent
Saturday -- September 10
7-11 AM -- AYCE Pancake & Sausage Breakfast in Locust Street firehouse
8 AM -- 34th Annual ABC 5K & 10K Race
9 AM -- Vendors open
Noon -- Beer Tent opens
12:30 PM -- Taylor Wagner performs on Oak St. stage
3 PM -- Parade
5 PM -- Taylor Wagner perfoms on Oak St. stage
8 PM to midnight -- Matt Poss & Rollin' Thunder in beer tent
Sunday -- September 11
7 AM -- First Christian Church Services
9 AM -- Vendors open
11 AM -- Jaycees Kiddie Tractor Pull (Oak St.)
1 PM -- Gospel music -- First Christian Church
2 PM -- Chuck Wicks -- Oak St. stage
4 PM -- 8 PM -- Porta Party DJs
5 PM -- Festival closes
Over 150 food, arts & crafts, and street vendors!
8-20-11 Market on the Prairie
Join us the 3rd Saturday of each month from May through October for "Market on the Prairie." Not only can you peruse our unique shops on Main Street, but you can also pick up a variety of fresh plants, herbs, and produce as well as Amish baked goods and jellies and artisan trinkets and wares. Relax in our small-town atmosphere and listen to local musicians. Take advantage of special deals from our local retailers. The Market is open from 9 AM to 3 PM.
8-5-11, 8-6-11 City Wide Garage Sales
Arcola City Wide Garage Sales will be held August 5-6 in Arcola. Check the Arcola Record Herald newspaper or office for maps.
7-18-11 Market on the Prairie
Join us the 3rd Saturday of each month from May through October for "Market on the Prairie." Not only can you peruse our unique shops on Main Street, but you can also pick up a variety of fresh plants, herbs, and produce as well as Amish baked goods and jellies and artisan trinkets and wares. Relax in our small-town atmosphere and listen to local musicians. Take advantage of special deals from our local retailers. The Market is open from 9 AM to 3 PM.
6-25-11 "Pop the Top" Festival to kick off Walldog fundraiser
Lots to do on June 25 in downtown Arcola including music & live entertainment, children's activities, a car show, an antique tractor show, a bag toss tournament, a youth soccer tournament, craft vendors and food vendors. The Festival will be open from 10 AM to 6 PM. The celebration then moves to Moore Memorial Park where there will be more activities culminating in a fireworks show at 9 PM.
6-18-11 Market on the Prairie is back!
Join us the 3rd Saturday of each month from May through October for "Market on the Prairie." Not only can you peruse our unique shops on Main Street, but you can also pick up a variety of fresh plants, herbs, and produce as well as Amish baked goods and jellies and artisan trinkets and wares. Relax in our small-town atmosphere and listen to local musicians. Take advantage of special deals from our local retailers. The Market is open from 9 AM to 3 PM.
5-21-11 Market on the Prairie debuts on historic Main St.
Join us the 3rd Saturday of each month from May through October for "Market on the Prairie." Not only can you peruse our unique shops on Main Street, but you can also pick up a variety of fresh plants, herbs, and produce as well as Amish baked goods and jellies and artisan trinkets and wares. Relax in our small-town atmosphere and listen to local musicians. Take advantage of special deals from our local retailers. The Market is open from 9 AM to 3 PM.
If you are interested in being a vendor, please complete the form below or contact the Arcola Chamber office at 217-268-4530.
5-2-11 Country music star Chuck Wicks to perform at 2011 Broom Corn Festival
The Broom Corn festival committee is pleased to announce that Chuck Wicks is slated to perform as Sunday's headliner entertainment at the 2011 Broom Corn Festival.
Chuck Wicks was raised on a potato farm in the community of Smyrna, Delaware. In January 2009, his charity concert in his hometown of Smyrna raised $25,000 for the Smyrna-Clayton Boys and Girls Club. In August 2008, Wicks began dating fellow country singer Julianne Hough, who is a professional dancer and two-time champion on Dancing with the Stars. Wicks and Hough competed as a couple on the eighth season of Dancing with the Stars. Their first performance took place on March 9, 2009, and he was eliminated from the show on April 28. They announced a mutual break-up on November 10, 2009.
Wanting to pursue a career in country music, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee after quitting college two classes short of graduation from Florida Southern College. He then began to hone his songwriting skills, penning more than one hundred songs per year at one point, and one of his songs, "Lead Me On", was recorded by Steve Holy on his 2006 album Brand New Girlfriend. Eventually, Wicks caught the attention of RCA Records executives, who signed him to a recording contract in late 2007.
RCA then released Wicks' debut single, "Stealing Cinderella," which he co-wrote with George Teren and Rivers Rutherford. He debuted the song at his first Grand Ole Opry appearance in August 2007. Shortly after the song's release, University of Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer heard it. Fulmer said the song "hit [him] like a ton of bricks," so he contacted Wicks, arranging a private performance at his daughter Courtney's wedding.
The single produced the biggest debut for any new country artist in all of 2007, with fifty-two of the stations on Billboard's survey adding it in its first official week of airplay. It was also the fastest-climbing debut country single in 2007, reaching a peak of #5 on the country charts in January, as well as #56 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was included on Wicks' debut album Starting Now, which was released on January 22, 2008 and peaked at #7 on the Top Country Albums charts. Wicks co-wrote all but one of the album's tracks. "All I Ever Wanted" was released in April 2008 as the album's second single, and peaked at #14 by the end of the year. A third single, "Man of the House", followed in January 2009, entering Top 40 in February, and peaked at #27.
On November 10, 2009, Wicks announced that he has started to work on his second album. The album's first single, "Hold That Thought," was released on May 17, 2010, and debuted at number 55 on the Hot Country Songs chart for the chart week of June 5, 2010. It was followed by "Old School", which made number 51 on the same chart before Wicks exited the label in January 2011. The song remained on the charts after Wicks' departure from the label, and CO5 Music began promoting it in late January 2011.
4-12-11 Taylor Wagner to perform at Broom Corn Festival
The Broom Corn Festival Committee announced at their meeting that Taylor Wagnor is slated to perform as Saturday's entertainment at the 2011 Broom Corn Festival the weekend after Labor Day.
Taylor Wagner is a singer/songwriter that brings out everything you want in a performance. Whether she is fronting her band or performing individually she uses her strong voice and guitar playing to create a perfect blend of country-pop tunes that keep you wanting more. Her concerts have a great mix of cover songs and her catchy originals that will be stuck in your head long after the show is over.
Taylor Wagner has accomplished a lot in a short period. In this past year she was featured on Jayelitv.com, ABC affiliate WAND tv, and CBS affiliate WCIA.
Her songs “Cheater on the Loose” and “Kissing You” have been played on several radio and internet stations across the United States. Taylor has been interviewed by and performed live for WLKL 89.9 and WMCI 104.3 of Mattoon, IL, KICK-FM 97.9 – Quincy, IL, WEIU 88.9 – Charleston, IL, 1610AM XLR -Greenwood,SC. , The Journal Gazette and more.
Her demo cd has been purchased by fans all around the world. She has won many talent/singing contests throughout Illinois including the local level of the Colgate Country Showdown in Quincy, IL where she advanced to the Illinois state finals.
Taylor performs regularly at a variety of central Illinois and Nashville, TN venues. In addition to performing at these venues, she posts many covers and originals on YouTube which has attracted thousands of subscribers. Her YouTube videos have already recieved over 1.3 million views. To further her music career, Taylor recently moved to Nashville, TN and is attending Belmont University.
4-12-11 Broom Corn Committee announces beer tent entertainment and new location
Scheduled beer tent entertainers for the 2011 Broom Corn Festival include: Feudin' Hillbillies, Matt Poss, and Porta Party DJs. The beer tent will be in a new location for the 2011 festival. The tent will be located on the eastern portion of the lot on Oak Street between the Homestead Bank building and The Dog House parking lot.
4-4-11 Market on the Prairie comes to downtown Arcola
Join us the 3rd Saturday of each month from May through October for "Market on the Prairie." Not only can you peruse our unique shops on Main Street, but you can also pick up a variety of fresh plants, herbs, and produce as well as Amish baked goods and jellies and artisan trinkets and wares.
4-2-11 Miss Arcola Pageant results
Congratulations to the following for their achievements at the 2011 Miss Arcola Pageant. A big thank you to Debbie Romine and Morgan McQueen for their efforts in making the pageant a seamless and successful event year after year.
Miss Arcola 2011 - Karla Arguelles
1st Runner-up - Stephany Helmuth
Miss Congeniality - Beth Peirson
Jr. Miss Arcola 2011 - Lezlie Arguelles (Yes, they are sisters - pretty cool!)
1st Runner-up - Maria Climaco
Miss Congeniality - Lezlie Arguelles
Little Miss Arcola 2011 - Kelsey Moore
2-9-11 City Beautification Committee seeks metal bottle caps
The City of Arcola's Beautification Committee is seeking metal bottle caps of any sort (even if they are bent.) Caps can be dropped off at City Hall or Arcola Record Herald.
2-9-11 Broom Corn Festival Committee seeks volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering for the Arcola Broom Corn festival, you help would be welcomed. The committee always welcomes new volunteers. In addition, the committee is searching for a Parade Chairperson. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Loretta Coatney at 217-268-3807.
2-9-11 Check out the updated calendar for exciting 2011 events!
1-19-11 City of Arcola hopes to bring Walldogs to Arcola
Walldogs are a group of sign & mural artists from all over the globe. The tradition of painting wall advertisements date back long before today. Evidence of this can be seen as "Ghost Signs" throughout cities of all sizes. These mural painters of old were often called Walldogs. A new group has adopted the name.
Along with the title of Walldog, today’s mural artists have also adopted many other traditions that show in their work, from the colors they use to the design styles they practice, these murals capture that sense of nostalgia and historic significance.
The Walldog movement began in Allerton, Iowa on the summer of 1993 hosted by Nancy Bennett. That meet was the first official Walldog meet. Dozens of sign artist or "Letterheads" arrived in Allerton to paint several large historic wall advertisements. Since then the Walldog Movement has continued to grow.
This City of Arcola is in the process of doing a fundraising campaign to bring the Walldogs to Arcola. Watch the calendar for fundraising events. In June, a kickoff festival, "Pop the Top," will be held in downtown Arcola and will culiminate into fireworks at Moore Park. Watch the calendar for more details on the event.
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