Sullivan County Rotary Corn Festival

The Sullivan County Rotary Corn Festival is a lively annual event held in downtown Sullivan, Indiana, running from Wednesday, September 17, 2025, through Saturday, September 20, 2025. It centers mainly around the downtown square and Central Plaza, offering a range of activities such as carnival rides, games, food vendors, a beer tent, nightly concerts, a turtle derby, a parade, and a free corn feed.

The festival’s atmosphere is festive and community-oriented, with a focus on family-friendly entertainment combined with local tradition and social engagement. The vibe is vibrant with a blend of agricultural fair charm and classic small-town celebration, featuring carnival excitement by day and live music at night.

Activities and Events:

• Nightly Carnival Rides and Games: Available each evening, providing fun for all ages.
• Food and Vendor Stalls: Festival food and a variety of vendors line the square.
• Beer Tent: Located on the square for adult attendees.
• Nightly Concerts: Held at Central Plaza beginning at 7 PM, featuring professional-level musical acts. Admission requires a gate fee of $20 per night or a $40 four-day pass; children 16 and under are free. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs.
• Saturday Turtle Derby: Takes place at 11 AM—a unique and popular local event where turtles race.
• Saturday Parade: Starts at 1 PM on Section Street (main street near the square), followed by the Free Corn Feed and Corn Eating Contest on the city square.
• Free Corn Feed: After the parade on Saturday, celebrating the festival’s agricultural heritage.

Schedule Highlights:

• Wednesday, Sept 17, 2025: Festival opens at 5 PM with carnival and evening entertainment starting at 7 PM.
• Thursday, Sept 18, 2025: Full day of carnival activities and vendors, evening concert at 7 PM.
• Saturday, Sept 20, 2025: Turtle Derby at 11 AM, parade at 1 PM, free corn feed following parade, and final concert at 7 PM.

Accessibility and Admission:

• The event is handicapped accessible.
• There is an admission fee for nightly entertainment, supporting festival operational costs like security and sanitation.
• Entry to carnival rides, games, and other activities (excluding concerts) is generally included with tickets or rides purchased on-site.

History and Background:

The festival is organized by the Sullivan Rotary Club and has grown significantly over recent years, striving to become one of Indiana’s premier festivals. It combines community spirit with the region’s agricultural identity—highlighted by the corn theme—and has a tradition of providing both free and ticketed events for a broad audience.

Event Location:

• Main activities are at the Downtown Square and Sullivan Central Plaza along Section Street and North Main Street.
• Concerts take place at the Central Plaza.

This longstanding event offers both locals and visitors a memorable mix of entertainment, tradition, and community celebration each September. Contact details for further queries are available through the Sullivan Rotary Club.