The 39th Annual Arcola Broom Corn Festival

Broomcorn in a variety of colors - perfect for fall decorating

Arcola, IL has a fabulous history and broomcorn has been part of much of it. The town started out as the community of Bagdad in the mid 1850’s. The Illinois Central Railroad built a track just a few miles east of Bagdad and chartered space for a town on either side of it. So Bagdad picked itself up, buildings and all and moved on wooden sleds in the winter of 1856 to the new site. It took on the new name or Arcola at about this time.

IN 1865, a local resident planted 20 acres of broomcorn on his land and the crop did so well that Arcola’s future was all but sealed. Broomcorn is a tall grass like plant, sorghum actually that develops a coarse, fibrous seed head used for hundreds of years to make brooms and brushes. Today the crop is mostly grown to make decorative items such as wreaths, floral arrangements and autumn displays. But at one time, Arcola was responsible for nearly half the broomcorn grown in America.

That history is honored in the annual Arcola Broom Corn Festival, opening Sept 11, 2009 and running until Sept. 13, 2009. Key among the festival’s activities is the parade featuring the Lawn Rangers, a precision lawn mower drill team that marches with lawn mowers and broom. So renowned are they that they were asked to appear in the Chicago St Patrick’s Day Parade in 2003 where President Obama marched with them to launch his race for the senate.

Free entertainment, arts and crafts and a variety of broom activities, including the National Broom Sweeping contest are sprinkled throughout the three-day event. Participants may enter a 5k or 10k run scheduled for Saturday morning. Sign up can be done online or in person prior to the events.

While you’re in Arcola, visit Rockome Gardens, a step back into simpler times, surrounded by breathtaking gardens. Many activities are available at Rockome Gardens but on Sept 12^th, you’ll want to see the quilt auction and classic car show. More than 95 quilts from five states will be available for viewing at 10:00. The auction starts at 1:00. The 3^rd annual car show s co-hosted by the Wheels Car Club and Rockome Gardens.

Arcola has a large Amish population and welcomes guests to the Amish Interpretive Center in downtown Arcola. The Raggedy Ann and Andy Museum resides in Arcola as the creator, Johnny Gruelle once did. Historical sites include the Arcola Carnegie Library which is listed on the National Register of Historical Places and the Arcola Historical Train Depot.

As you can see, there is plenty to do in Arcola during the Broom Festival. Stop by and enjoy life from a simpler time.

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Other Festivals this weekend: The Gallatin County Fair & Popcorn Day