Robust attendance expected for Tecumseh Corn Fest despite parking challenges

There's a lot to enjoy at this weekend's Tecumseh Corn Festival even if getting there might be less convenient than before.

This year's event is taking place at McAuliffe Park, off St. Alphonse Street, south of the E.C. Row Expressway.

That's about five kilometres distance from the festival's usuallocation of Lacasse Park, which will be occupied through the rest of the week with the Baseball Canada Men's National Championship tournament.

The organizers of the Corn Fest the Optimist Club of St. Clair Beach are being frankthat the parking situation at McAuliffe Park is not ideal.

"It's tight," admitted Melissa Coulbeck, the club's vice president. "Some of the challenges that we're facing come down to parking availability around the park... It's also not as central to northern Tecumseh, where there's denser population."

The festival will have on-site parking, but spaces are limited and there will be a $10 fee per vehicle.

That's why the Optimist Club is encouraging attendees to park for free at Tecumseh Arena or Tecumseh Vista Academy, and take advantage of a free shuttle bus that will take them to the festival grounds.

The shuttle travels on a 20-minute loop during festival hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

New location complicates festival parking, electricity

Those who park at Tecumseh Vista Academy and don't feel like waiting for the bus can instead make use of a walking path to McAuliffe Park, which Coulbeck says takes about five minutes at normal walking speed. "If you're able-bodied, it's totally fine to take that path."

There will even be a free bicycle/scooter valet at the festival.

"I worry that someone might drive to the park, not find parking, and then decide, 'You know, I'm just going to go home,'" Coulbeckconfessed.

"We're flexible, and we're making the best of the move... We're making it work."

But parking isn't the only difference between McAuliffe Park and Lacasse Park: Coulbeck said the new location doesn't have the same electrical facilities, resulting in this year'sfestival beingmore dependent on generators.

"It means that we have to extend our budget a little more," Coulbeck said. "We have to think about how we're going to lay out our extension cords and spider boxes to make sure that every vendor or music tent, every component, gets power."

Corn Festival traditions offer music, food and fun

While the Tecumseh Corn Festival has been a tradition since the 1970s, it's only the second year that the Optimist Club of St. Clair Beach has been responsible for organizing it.

Coulbeck said that despite last year's event having uncooperative weather, total attendance over the course of the festival's three days was estimated at more than 15,000.

Similar figures or higher are expected this weekend, with warmth and sun in the weather forecast.

There are plenty of reasons for the festival's enduring popularity. Musical acts in a licensed tent (Saturday night's lineup is country-themed), carnival games and rides provided by All Canadian Entertainment, free children's activities, and random fun like hawk shows and a soap box derby race.

Coulbecksaid this year's vendor area will have more than 30 craft sellers, plus plenty offood sellers such as Korean corndogs and Mexican street snacks. "We really wanted to create a night market experience."

And, of course, there's the corn. Coulbeck said she likes hersboiled on the cob in traditional fashion. "I don't like too many toppings. The corn we get is local and tastes delicious on its own."

Don't forget the non-edible corn: Coulbecksaidthat Nibby the festival's costumed mascot will be in attendance andready for photos with the adoring public.

Nibby was absent last year due to technical issues with the costume. There were also some difficulties finding all of Nibby's parts in the lead-up to this year's event.

"Nibby went missing last year But we found Nibby," Coulbeck promised. "We have a fully-functioning Nibby, and he will be present at Corn Fest this year."

Hundreds expected to enjoy Baseball Canada tournament

As for the Baseball CanadaMen's National Championship happening at the newly renovated baseball facilities of Lacasse Park organizers are also promising an excitingevent that should boost the local hospitality industry.

Ten teams representing nine provinces have arrived in Tecumseh to battle on the diamond over the rest of the week.

"Listen, you're going to see the best amateur baseball from across Canada this weekend," said Jamie Kell, the tournament chair and head coach of the Tecumseh Thunder.

"Most of these teams won their provincial championship last year, so they're going to be great teams."

The tournament startedWednesday night with a home run derby. Games will be running Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

The finals will take place on Sunday, with the tournament champions to be determined witha game starting 7 p.m.

"I'm hoping to get, daily, 600 people coming in and out of the park," Kell said. "And then when the Thunder are playing, I'm hoping to get 800 to 900 people."