McKay Shares History of the Clinton County Corn Festival

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"The show is a lot of fun to put on... The people that you meet is unbelievable... and the show continues to grow... It's a really unique festival... it's just a good old fashioned festival," stated Jonathan McKay, current member of the Antique Power Club.

Before the Clinton County Corn Festival became what it is today, it was originally called the Antique Show of Pioneer Craft Display and was held to honor the Clinton County Historical Society's 25th anniversary.

In September of 1974, the Antique Power Club and Clinton County Historical Society held their first official show at the Clinton County Fairgrounds after outgrowing their previous location. The festival featured live demonstrations, machinery on display, and parades within the fairgrounds.

The shows began to grow each year, and by 1977, the Antique Power Club officially became incorporated. McKay shared that the club was founded with the purpose of acquiring, restoring, operating, and displaying antique farm equipment.

In January of 1978, the Antique Power Club officially determined that the annual shows name would be changed to "Clinton County Corn Festival." That year, they even expanded to include flea markets, demonstrations, adult games, and more.

Throughout the following years, the club acquired large, antique equipment like a stone crushed, a Fairbanks-Morse engine, a sawmill, and more to display at the festivals. They began giving demonstrations in 1987.

Since its inception, the festival has grown exponentially, ranging from 12,000 to 15,000 attendees in one weekend. With the profits, the club provides scholarships, donates to FFA programs, and promotes agricultural heritage across the county.

This year, the festival's theme will be "Gathering of the Orange," and will feature many Allis-Chalmers orange machinery. The festival will continue to feature food, crafts, flea markets, demonstrations, and more.

To learn more about the Clinton County Corn Festival or the Antique Power Club, visit cornfestivalonline.com.