Rockwell City to celebrate 150 years
Sesquicentennial and Sweet Corn Daze set for this weekend
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ROCKWELL CITY -- Rockwell City will have a big birthday celebration this weekend.
The Calhoun County community will mark 150 years since its founding and at the same time conduct its annual Sweet Corn Daze event.
The result will be two concerts, a big parade, food, games, and almost as much royalty as Buckingham Palace.
The combined Sesquicentennial and Sweet Corn Daze is about "supporting your community and making memories with your family," said Brittany Drew, coordinator of Rockwell City Chamber and Development.
"There's something for everyone," she said. "There's great food, good shopping. It's going to be special. We hope to pull people from other communities to Rockwell City."
The action begins Friday with a golf tournament that is a fundraiser for the Chamber.
"Of course, that money goes right back out into the community," Drew said.
She said the field for the golf tournament is already full.
That night, there will be a concert on the City Square. The Ridottos will perform beginning at 6 p.m..
At 7 p.m. Friday, the first of the weekend's royalty will be crowned. Drew said the 2026 Sesquincentennial Royalty are being chosen by a popular vote.
Saturday's activity will begin with a run/walk sponsored by Rockwell City Enhancement. Drew said it will start at the elementary school and end at the middle school.
The parade will begin at 10 a.m. The parade lineup starts at the middle school at 8:30 a.m. Drew said organizers are hoping for 150 entries in the parade.
After the parade there will be a full day of activities on the City Square, including games for kids, a bags tournament, and a car show.
At 1 p.m. in the library, the staff of Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines will show off some animals.
Then at 2 p.m. there will be bingo games in the library.
There will be food vendors and other shopping as well.
Drew said except for the food and vendor booths, everything is free to the community because it has been sponsored by local businesses.
The town that bills itself as the Golden Buckle on the Corn Belt will also have its traditional Sweet Corn Daze events, including more royalty when the Sweet Corn Daze princess is crowned.
The traditional Sweet Corn Daze events include a corn eating contest, a beard contest and the naming of the Rotary Citizen of the Year.
That night there will be a concert by Cory Waller and the Wicked Things. Admission will be $5.
Events continue on Sunday with community breakfast followed by a community church service on the City Square.
Firefighter water battles will begin at 1 p.m.
The groundbreaking for Stewart Memorial Community Hospital’s Restore and Renew Clinic at 339 E. High St. will be held at 2:30 p.m
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Here are some highlights of the Rockwell City Sesquicentennial and Sweet Corn Daze Celebration
Friday
6 p.m. – Concert by The Ridottos, City square
7 p.m.- Crowning of the 2026 Sesquicentennial royalty
Saturday
10 a.m. – Parade
1 p.m. Blank Park Zoo animals at the library
2 p.m. – Bingo at the library
8 p.m. – Concert by Cory Waller and the Wicked Things
Sunday
8 a.m. – Community breakfast
10:30 a.m. – Church service on the City Square
1 p.m. – Firefighter water fights
2:30 p.m. – Groundbreaking for Stewart Memorial Hospital’s Restore and Renew Rockwell City Clinic