On Friday and Saturday night, most students can be found doing any number of things.

They could be staying in and having a relaxing night, bar hopping, visiting any number of fraternity houses on campus, and this past weekend, they could have been enjoying the 32nd Annual Sweetcorn Festival held in downtown Urbana.

The Sweetcorn Festival, held each year, is organized by the Urbana Business Association but funded privately by any number of businesses and other sponsors. It’s all for the purpose of promoting the growth and well-being of Urbana, while still staying true to its roots, said Carly Hermsdorf, Champaign-Urbana native, volunteer at the festival and senior in AHS.

“We use corn because we are in Illinois,” Hermsdorf said. “We want to keep Urbana growing and to bring more and more people into the community.”

The Sweetcorn Festival drew a crowd of people, from students to locals, children to elderly, and anyone in between.

Walking down the streets, taking in the scenery, it was easy to forget where you were. Tents lined the streets of downtown Urbana, each providing something unique to the festival.

Various scents wafted down the streets, while people walked, eating corn and other kinds of food, perusing the tents, seeing what they had to offer.

Between the food and jewelry tents, the political candidates trying to urge concerned citizens to vote for them, and even down to the tent giving away free floss, there was a distinct impression that you were no longer in Urbana. You were somehow transported into the beginning of July, walking down Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago.

The family friendly atmosphere provided endless entertainment for all ages.

Adults could sit back and listen to the various sounds reverberating throughout the entire festival. They could walk around, enjoy the scenery or take a picture posing as an ear of corn.

With the sun shining down, the cool breeze was refreshing and enhanced the experience for all.

The throngs of children, more than anyone, seemed to enjoy all that the Sweetcorn Festival had to share.

In the heart of the festival, no matter which way you turned, there was something for the youths to enjoy.

Jumping jacks littered the street, one appropriately decorated with a big I, while near Lincoln Square Mall there was a petting zoo, provided by Miller’s Petting Zoo, and pony rides.

Sean Rushing, petting zoo employee and son of the owners, was genuine as he handed out little cups of food to the excited children.

He smiled as he said they had been coming to the Sweetcorn Festival for a few years, providing family fun and friendly, diverse animals to the public.

“We have all sorts of animals,” Rushing said. “We have goats, sheep, llamas, calves, ducks, rabbits, pigs and more.”

Parents and kids alike ran around, shrieking with glee, and petting the various animals, all of which were very receptive to the attention and especially liked getting the endless amounts of snacks.

Flashbulbs went off as the children got to touch their very first llama or snuggled with a rather large rabbit. Just next to the zoo were larger animals and more familiar ponies giving rides.

The grinning children mounted the ponies and, unaware of the fact they were riding around in circles, enjoyed every minute of it.

Even with all the sponsorship and competitive advertising going on, everyone seemed to be laid back and enjoying themselves.

Police officers sporadically walked down the street as a safety precaution but were unnecessary because everyone was just having fun.

Megan Wolf, volunteer coordinator, said that the festival was running smoothly, and there had been no disasters.

“It’s been wonderful,” Wolf said. “It has been packed, and that is good for the vendors, good for the businesses and good for the people.”

The volunteer turnout was everything Wolf could have expected and helped make the festival run smoothly.

The students that came out were reliable and even showed up early.

The fraternities and sororities that volunteered were ready to work, some of which are habitual volunteers, Wolf said.

All in all, the festival seemed to be a success, drawing in crowds of people by providing good food and good music, all at an affordable price.

The festival only comes around once every year, so next year remember to take the time out to enjoy it.

On a campus as big as ours, it is often easy to forget that we are in the midst of small-town life.

The Sweetcorn Festival is a friendly reminder of the good, old-fashioned small town charm that is all around us if we only take the time to look.