SE Corn Days run Friday through Sunday

Corn-eating

contest pits

police vs.

radio jockeys

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- Tons of sweet corn on the cob and 400 pounds of Associated Milk Producers Inc. butter go up for grabs Friday at Allison Park at the 42nd Annual Buttered Corn Day.

Corn will be served 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Musicians in the park include Bob Novotny and Gene Bertrand, 1:30-2:30 p.m.; Dain's Dutchmen, 2:30-3:30 p.m.; and the Sleepy Eye rock and roll band Blank, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

A new wrinkle this year will be corn-eating contest between Sleepy Eye Police Chief Don Mickelson and officer David Sievert vs. KNUJ radio personalities John Jahnke of Sleepy Eye and Tom Wheeler of New Ulm. Miss Sleepy Eye Amanda Spaeth and her court will judge the event set to begin at 12:15 p.m. and will include a traveling trophy.

A flea market and Inflat-A-Fun will be held in the park, 11 a.m.- 8 p.m.; bingo will be played from noon to 6 p.m.. Zoo Man Brent Mielke will be in the park from noon to 6 p.m.

A raffle drawing with many prizes begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will be available until the drawing starts.

The flea market and Inflat-A-Fun continues Saturday along with a Classic Car Cruise and scavenger hunt, 1-4 p.m. in Allison Park; an 11:30 a.m. luncheon with past Miss Sleepy Eye queens at the golf course; a 5k run beginning at Ross Park Apartments at 5:30 p.m.; followed by a 100-unit parade at 6 p.m. that begins on First Ave. South.

The parade route and 5k will be a bit shorter this year, turning east at Maple St. instead of Walnut St. as in the past.

WCCO-TV sports anchor and Sleepy Eye native Ralph Jon Fritz is the parade Grand Marshal. He will film the parade for his TV program "Out 'N About."

Other parade units include 2003 Aquatennial Queen of the Lakes Sandra Kay Vucinovich of Lakeville, American Legion State Commander Mike Neubarth, the Zuhra Ho-Ho Classic Car Club and the Kracker Jack drum line.

The Little Crow Ski Team -- which recently won the Midwest Region Tournament -- will perform at 2 p.m. Sunday. Show tickets will be available throughout the weekend.