By 1808Delaware
For three days this week, Ashley will become the center of Delaware County’s sweet corn universe. The 2026 Ashley Corn Show returns Thursday through Saturday, bringing food, live music, midway rides, bingo, contests, and community activities to the village. The annual celebration offers something different each evening, but corn remains firmly at the center of it all.
Visitors can expect fresh sweet corn, community booths, EGO Midway rides and games, and activities for children and adults. Bingo will be offered every night, while the Event Tent will host several competitions testing everything from growing skills to speed eating.
Dinner Is Served, With Corn, Of Course
Food service begins at 5:00 PM each evening. Thursday’s featured meal will be J.T.’s Famous Pork Dinner, a longtime Corn Show favorite. On Friday and Saturday, organizers will serve open-pit roasted chicken dinners.
Sweet corn will naturally be part of the celebration, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to enjoy the festival’s namesake before watching others eat, shuck, grow, and toss it competitively.
Music Every Night
The Corn Show’s live entertainment begins Thursday with Kan’t Remember performing from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Blue Diggity will follow from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Friday’s music starts at 6:00 PM with Dan Orr, followed by McGuffey Lane, the Ohio country-rock band known for songs including “Long Time Lovin’ You” and “Green Country Mountains.”
Saturday’s lineup begins at 5:00 PM and features the Blue Limestone Project and Burning Diesel.
Organizers are encouraging visitors to bring lawn chairs, gather with friends, and settle in for the evening performances.
From Corn Stalks to Empty Cobs
The Corn Growing Contest will give local growers an opportunity to put their best stalks before the judges. Entries may be dropped off at the Event Tent beginning at 5:00 PM Thursday and continuing through the evening. Friday entries must arrive by 5:30 PM. Stalks should be cut and ready for judging. Winners will be announced at 6:00 PM Friday at the Event Tent.
The competition becomes faster and messier Saturday evening. Registration for the Corn Eating Contest begins at 5:30 PM, with the contest starting at 6:00 PM. Participants will compete in three age groups: ages 5 through 10, ages 11 through 17, and adults 18 and older. Contestants must eat their corn and toss each empty cob into a bucket. The participant who lands the most cobs in the bucket wins.
The Corn Shucking Contest follows at 6:30 PM. Registration will be open from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM at the Event Tent. Competitors in the same three age divisions will race to husk 10 ears of corn, with the fastest person in each group taking the prize.
Games, Cars, and Pedal Power
Beyond the corn-centered competitions, the three-day schedule includes a car show, cornhole tournaments, the Corn Cook Off, games, community booths, and family activities.
Young competitors can also test their strength during the Buckeye Valley FFA Kiddie Tractor Pull on Friday. The pedal-powered event is among several Corn Show traditions designed especially for younger visitors.
Bingo will take place all three nights, while midway rides and games will offer another reason for families to spend an evening in Ashley.
Whether visitors arrive for the chicken, the music, the contests, or simply the chance to see neighbors, the 2026 Ashley Corn Show will offer three full evenings devoted to food, friendly competition, and small-town summer fun.
