For more than 40 years, visitors from all over flock to Morden, Manitoba for their famous “Corn and Apple Festival.” Held yearly in the last week of August, the festival features a three-day (Friday to Sunday) extravaganza of live stage performances, parades, arts and crafts, carnivals, food and of course, the stars of the festival, the Morden corn and apple cider.
This year I went to the festival for the very first time. Together with my father and nephew, I joined the bus trip organized by the Filipino Journal and Travel Manitoba on August 27th. The fun started even before we reached Morden, as the Group A volunteers prepared food, games and prizes to everyone’s delight! The two-hour journey went by fast and in no time at all, we reached our destination.
The parade was just about to start when we arrived. A lot of people have already lined up along the parade route armed with their own lawn chairs. You can see and feel the excitement of everyone young and old. I also saw some friends from Winnipeg who I haven’t seen in a while. I guess it took the lure of sweet, fresh corn for us to meet again, eh? Before settling on an area for the parade, Tito Rod Cantiveros showed us where they will be serving the free corn and apple juice later. Then on to the parade! Colourful floats of various shapes and sizes were met with good cheers, some were from other towns like Altona, Neepawa and others. Local officials as well as provincial politicians were also seen waving to the crowd.
After a short break, it was time for the highlight of our trip – the free corn! Hundreds of people from different backgrounds lined up with anticipation. As I took a bite of my corn, a burst of freshness and sweetness unlike another burst inside my mouth! No kidding! No wonder the corn from Morden is famous. I loved corn even before, now I love it even more. The friendly volunteers also served up apple drinks to the hundreds of people who came that Saturday. And once you finished your first free corn, you can line up again for another, and another, until you get your fill. People of Morden know that their corn can get addicting, so they have prepared sacks of the sweet and tasty treats for purchase. For $20.00 you can have 4 dozens of fresh, sweet corn to share with friends and family back home in Winnipeg. While a big bottle of apple cider costs $10.00
After a brief visit to the shops and stalls, it was time to go back to the city, bringing back the fun and sweet memories of Morden. I wouldn’t mind going back next year. ‘Wanna come?
Health benefits of corn:
1. Corn is helpful in kidney problems including renal dysfunction.
2. Corn bran is a heart protector, when eaten everyday it can lower cholesterol in the body.
3. Corn is also beneficial in aiding with anemia, constipation and gout.