Jack Holt with his children and grandchildren, Enterprise, Aug. 25, 2012 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
ENTERPRISE – Every year, thousands of people are drawn to the farming community of Enterprise for the annual Cornfest, a celebration that includes a plethora of activities, musical talent, and of course, plenty of corn.
Many years ago, before the official Enterprise Cornfest began, Jack Holt, of Jack Holt Farms, planted corn on his farm for a small cash crop as something to provide additional money for his wife and their nine children.
“It was (a time of) economic struggle for the whole area,” Holt said. “So I started planting corn with hopes to pay the bills. We had a big family, started with one acre then five, now 20, and it’s still all handpicked.”
Holt said people from all over Southern Utah, and even Nevada, came into Enterprise for his sweet corn.
The corn takes two additional weeks to grow due to the cooler nights in Enterprise, he said, and that was what made it sweeter than others. ”The sweetness of the corn kept people coming back for more.”
Some people credit Holt for playing a prominent role in starting what eventually became the Enterprise Cornfest, but he plays down the claims. “Oh, it was just the mayor and councilmen who started it,” he said.
Though the 2012 Enterprise Cornfest was on Aug. 25, it’ll be back next year with its trademark car show, a horde of activities for young and old, as well as Holt’s renowned sweet corn.
Young Robert Gray and parents enjoying some cotton candy, Enterprise, Utah, Aug. 25, 2012 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Yazzie and Tohonnie families enjoying the dutch oven dinner and, of course, fresh sweet corn on the cob, Enterprise, Utah, Aug. 25, 2012 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Staci Butler checking out the cars, Enterprise, Aug. 25, 2012 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Ross Peterson of St. George fires up the 1930 Model A and blows the ooga horn, Enterprise, Utah, Aug. 25, 2012 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Pine Mountain Bluegrass plays for a huge turn out of the Cornfest dutch oven dinner crowd, Enterprise, Utah, Aug. 25, 2012 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Paul Pires pets the potty trained pig, Enterprise, Utah, Aug. 25, 2012 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Miss Enterprise, (Kassidy Jones) and 3rd Attendant (Jacie Hutchings), Enterprise, Utah, Aug. 25, 2012 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Lots of vendors, and a busy turn out on this warm August day at the Enterprise Cornfest, Enterprise, Utah, Aug. 25, 2012 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Lindsey Short plays the banjo and fiddle with Pine Mountain Bluegrass band, Enterprise, Utah, Aug. 25, 2012 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
KayLee Carlson gets her face painted at the Enterprise Cornfest, Enterprise, Utah, Aug. 25, 2012 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Jack Holt Farms has Farmers Market downtown Enterprise, Enterprise, Utah, Aug. 25, 2012 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Crowd at the Enterprise Cornfest, Enterprise, Utah, Aug. 25, 2012 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Cambrie Larsen gets a ride on the pony after a long wait in line, Enterprise Cornfest, Enterprise, Utah, Aug. 25, 2012 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) raising awareness for child abuse at the Enterprise Cornfest. BACA is giving away 2000 Street Bob HD on Oct. 6, Enterprise, Utah, Aug. 25, 2012 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Aspen Ridge from Las Vegas entertains corn goers, Enterprise Cornfest, Enterprise, Utah, Aug. 25, 2012 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Kelly Stahlei, (left), and Liberty Brown (right), of the Future Farmers of America,Enterprise Cornfest, Enterprise, Utah, Aug. 25, 2012 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Cornfest sign, Enterprise, Utah, Aug. 25, 2012 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
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One Comment on "Sweet corn, bluegrass, hot August night: Enterprise Cornfest and Gallery 2012"
I was not able to attend this years’ Corn Fest but felt like I was there after reading this article and seeing the photo’s. Even got a dozen ears of the sweet corm from a neighbor. Sweet