Corn Fest usually attracts more than 50,000 people each year, but its 25th anniversary celebration saw record crowds of about 100,000 over the past weekend.

Jeff Richardson, chairman of the Corn Fest planning board, said an average of 12,000 to 15,000 ears of corn are distributed on a typical Saturday at Corn Fest. However this year by early Saturday afternoon, nearly 25,000 ears of corn already had been given away.

Those involved in Corn Fest had suspected that there may be fewer crowds on Friday due to Bill Cosby appearing at the Convocation Center, but the Friday night turn- out was a big surprise. The carnival had an estimated 5,000 visitors and The John Smith Orchestra extended its show on Friday night to an extra half-hour because of the great response.

There also was more family participation this year than there had been in previous years. Dave Bavido, entertainment producer for Corn Fest, credited this to the focus on family-oriented events.

“This year has had many added attractions such as the mini-NASCAR racing and the mechanical bull ride,” he said. “From year to year, the goal is to have interactive attractions and this year was successful in doing that.”

One of the other popular events this year was the water balloon fight, Richardson said.

Local vendors also were successful, he added. Each year, about 20 percent of the vendors are new. This year had a well-balanced variety.

Although there was a wide range of attractions, free corn was the most popular.

“That is what puts the town on the map,” Bavido said. “It was Corn Fest’s historical start and is always the highlight by far. It makes people smile like you gave them $100!”

Another popular attraction this year was the main sound stage.

“Generally, there was an ecstatic response from the public for Hi Infidelity and Mike and Joe, but the goal of the sound stage is to have a variety of bands in order to keep a diverse public happy,” Bavido said. “I am confident that we accomplished that this year.”

Bavido invited Mike and Joe to Corn Fest for the first time this year.

“They have a big following and sell out at many of their appearances,” Bavido said. “I wanted to give the general public that might not go to the bars a chance to hear what they are all about.”

Mike and Joe’s drummer, Aaron Streich, said the band was excited about the new exposure and planned to give an energy-filled show.

“Mike and Joe are always a lot of fun and they do the covers really great,” said Francis David, a senior nursing major.

Mike and Joe also will perform at the Convocation Center this Tuesday. The band hoped its appearance at Corn Fest would encourage more people to see it again.

Bavido was pleased with the success of the weekend.