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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Corn Fest attendees line up for the free corn boil at Corn Fest on Saturday at Lincoln Highway, East of North 4th Street. Corn Fest took place on Lincoln Highway from 1st Street to 4th street and extended into 2nd and 3rd street to Oak Street. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Ears to tradition: DeKalb’s ‘Corn Fest’ honors farming roots

By Edison Miller, Editor in Chief | August 24, 2025

DeKALB — In most places, corn is just a side dish. In DeKalb, it’s the star of a three-day festival that draws thousands of people to the heart of the city every August.  Held Friday through Sunday, residents from across the Midwest filled closed-off...

Corn Fest attendees enjoy rides and carnival games on Saturday at the 46th annual Corn Fest in downtown DeKalb on 1st and 4th Street. The festival took place from Aug. 25 to Aug. 27 and expects up to 15,000 festival-goers every year. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Corn, country and celebration: Corn Fest 2023

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter | August 27, 2023

DeKALB – During move-in weekend, students were given one last opportunity before the college grind to reunite with old friends or make new ones at Corn Fest. The weekend music festival and corn boil in DeKalb is one of the last free admission festivals...

Ashlie Amber will perform her show “Ashlie Amber: I Will Always Love You” at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 18.

DeKalb day planner: Aug. 27

By Daija Hammonds, Lifestyle Editor | August 23, 2022

If you’re unsure of what to do this weekend to celebrate the first week of classes being done, here are some events happening this Saturday.  NIU women’s volleyball Catch the last match of day two of the Huskie Invitational and cheer on NIU’s...

The women's track and field and cross country team poses for a photo during its time volunteering at Corn Fest in downtown DeKalb.

Track and field, cross country and baseball teams contribute most community service hours among sports teams

By Jemea Green | January 27, 2020

DeKALB — Student-athletes at NIU racked up a total of 5,150 community service hours during the 2018-2019 academic year.Giving back and connecting with the community is important to NIU, according to the annual Athletics report which documents the hours...

Editor in Chief Sam Malone (left) and Zack Edwards, Chicago Ridge, stand in front of a tractor at the 2018 Corn Fest

Students should attend Corn Fest

By Sam Malone | August 23, 2019

Whether this will be your first or if you’re bringing someone to their first, popping the Corn Fest kernel is a must.Imagine the joy of butter dripping off your chin after a satisfying chomp on a county-grow corn cob, or the sound of music filling the...

Corn Fest had locals smiling from ear to ear

By Ginger Simons | August 27, 2018

The smell of barbecue and the sound of corn sizzling on the grill filled downtown DeKalb Friday as the community came together to attend the 41st annual Corn Fest.Corn Fest, which ran from Friday through Sunday, featured live music, local vendors and...

Corn Fest opens today

By Northern Star staff | August 26, 2016

DeKALB | DeKalb will host its 39th annual Corn Fest this weekend in downtown DeKalb on Lincoln Highway between First and Fourth Streets.Corn Fest is ran by volunteers and features festival-style events including carnival rides, food vendors, the Beer...

Corn Fest 2015

Corn Fest 2015

By Hayley Montalvo | August 30, 2015

Brandon Thonen (left), Cassie Johnson (middle) and NIU employee Jeff Strohm on Friday at Corn Fest.

Community members celebrate Corn Fest 2015

Community members celebrate Corn Fest 2015

By Hayley Montalvo | August 30, 2015

Jonathan Jick (left), general manager for Athletics ticket sales, shows off an NIU frame while Morris White, assistant athletic director for Marketing and Game Experience, shows off the Athletics booth Friday at Corn Fest. Go to here for more information...

Weekend Guide August 27

By Northern Star staff | August 27, 2015

Northern Star staffCongratulations! You’ve successfully made your way through the first week of classes. Take some time to unwind and escape from the strenuous homework and not-so-friendly professors at these events this weekend:TodayGraduate student...

Chairperson talks DeKalb Corn Fest history, tradition

By Keith Hernandez | August 27, 2015

After almost four decades, DeKalb’s love of corn is still going strong.Corn Fest is a free annual festival that takes place in downtown DeKalb. The celebration, which includes music performances, rides and art activities, attracts thousands of residents...

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