Sweet Corn Popular at County Fair
Sweet Corn Popular at County Fair
Sweet Corn Popular at County Fair
Many hands make light work at the county fair, husking and cooking more than 1,000 ears of sweet corn daily. The corn is the best-seller at the Muskingum County Blue Ribbon Fair in Zanesville, Ohio.
Members of Rolling Plains United Methodist Church in Zanesville husk more than 9,000 ears of corn during fair week in July or August. The church has sold food at the fair since 1963, said Gary Handshy, longtime church member. He and his wife, Barb Handshy, coordinate daily operations at the corn stand.
The idea to sell corn started when Rolling Plains members Jim Butler and Cliff Radcliff saw many people buying and eating corn from a stand at a nearby fair and decided to do the same to benefit their home church. Member Virgil Slack grew the corn.
As demand for the tasty food grew, the church decided to sell the cooked corn on and off the cob at the fair. The Rev. John Alice, pastor of Rolling Plains, began the first year of his appointment there in July 2013 and enjoyed being at the fair. He and his wife, Erin, along with their four children, helped serve and work at the pickup window. “It was a perfect experience,” said Alice. “It was a huge opportunity also to build great relationships.”
In addition to selling the corn, “the church sold 350 pounds of barbequed pulled pork, 200 pounds of ground chuck for sloppy joes, 25 pies and other desserts, salads and drinks on a daily basis,” said Handshy.
Proceeds benefit mission and ministry.
AT A GLANCE
Rolling Plains United Methodist Church
3350 Moxahala Park Road, Zanesville, OH 43701
740-453-4192 | rpchurch@rrohio.com
Pastor: Rev. John M. R. Alice
Average Attendance: 528
West Ohio Conference