Festivals draw from far, near

In 1990, country star Garth Brooks enjoyed performing at the Arcola Broom Corn Festival so much that he stayed for five hours to make sure everybody waiting in line got an authgraph.

"It was a night the people of Arcola will never forget," resident Pat Monahan said.

Brooks is one of dozens of big names who have performed on the annual festival the weekend after Labor Day. Brad Paisley (2000), John Michael Montgomery (1993), Tracy Lawrence (1992), Buddy Jewell (2005), Neal McCoy (1994), Porter Wagoner (1983), Tom T. Hall (1986), Confederate Railroad (2006), Shenandoah (1989), Ronnie McDowell (1999) and Andy Griggs (2007) have all appeared.

Originally begun 37 years ago as a way to recognize the city's biggest industry, the Broom Corn Festival has become "the best party in central Illinois," Monahan said.

The festival includes the national broom sweeping championships, broom-making demonstrations, an antique tractor display, a running race, a carnival, a flea market, pony rides and one of the area's largest beer tents.

"The original intent behind the festival was to let folks know about the broom corn industry here in Arcola," festival director Louis Turner said.

The parade features the world famous Lawn Rangers, a precision lawn mower drill team. In the National Broom Sweeping Championships, contestants use Arcola brooms to sweep seeds through an elaborate maze.

But the Broom Corn Festival is one of two major festivals in Arcola. In June, the city hosts the Original Raggedy Ann and Andy Festival.

"It's really unique for our community," city administrator Bill Wagoner said. "The Raggedy Ann Festival brings in a lot of people from outside our community to capture a snapshot of what our community has to offer."

The theme for this year's event, set for June 14-15, is "Together Again," celebrating Raggedy Andy being inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame.