The 40th annual Adel Sweet Corn Festival is this weekend, and one local entity is seizing the opportunity to have around 20,000 people in the area to help them celebrate a milestone.

Dallas County ISU Extension and Outreach is turning 100 years old this year, and Director Jeff Jackson says he couldn’t think of a better venue to host a party than at one of the biggest events in central Iowa. Jackson says Dallas was the last Extension office formed in the state, so he was able to see the ways in which 98 other counties celebrated their century mark. Some events were in the form of open houses, while others were hosted during county fairs. None of those appealed to Jackson though, and he ultimately decided to embrace Extension’s history of partnering with the communities they serve and celebrate during a big summer event.

During the Festival, Jackson says Extension will have a float during the Sweet Corn Parade, which will include ISU mascot “Cy,” and Extension Vice President Dr. John Lawrence, who is also serving as the parade’s Grand Marshall. They will then have four different booths set up around downtown, each with a different theme and giveaways. There will also be a special presentation at 12:30 p.m. at the Adel Stage and Pavilion, where Lawrence, Jackson, and participating chamber of commerce directors will say a few words about the 100-year milestone.

Jackson is excited for each of the activities, and he’s hopeful the Festival attendees will take time to check out what they have to offer. “We’re just really grateful for all the partners we’ve had throughout this, it’s really a great way to showcase how we exist in the community. And so we just encourage you to come out, stop by, and don’t just stop at one tent and say that you’re done with us. Stop at all of them and see what you can do!”

To learn more about Dallas County Extension’s centennial event at the Adel Sweet Corn Festival, listen to today’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program on air and at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.