Backus Cornfest runs out of ribs thanks to crowd

081722.PEJ.BackusCornfest (1).JPG — The corn feed at the Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, Backus Cornfest was a bigger hit than usual in part thanks to the addition of ribs to the menu.

By Travis G. Grimler

August 17, 2022 at 5:01 AM

BACKUS — The Backus Cornfest spiced up the annual corn feed Saturday, Aug. 13, with the addition of barbecue ribs to the traditional menu of corn on the cob, wild rice casserole and sides.

081722.PEJ.BackusCornfest (4).JPG — Thanks to thick cloud cover, the Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, Backus Cornfest Parade was pleasantly cool, but for those who wanted it a bit cooler still there was a giant corn cob handing out frozen treats.

Organizer Rae Borst said the ribs sold out before 1 p.m., an hour early. Borst said they had prepared enough ribs for at least 150 diners, based on past years' attendance, making this year's crowd even larger.

Borst said participating groups and businesses were also pleasantly surprised by the turnout.

081722.PEJ.BackusCornfest (5).JPG — Backus Church of the Nazarene represented the heritage of Backus by riding into the Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, Cornfest Parade in a cart that would have been common transportation in the city's earliest days.

In addition to the new food option, the event had many favorites from years gone by, including a corn eating contest, treasure hunt, straw pile coin hunt, bean bag tournament, horseshoe tournament, fishing contest and more.

081722.PEJ.BackusCornfest (2).JPG — Many games were present at the Aug. 13, 2022, Backus Cornfest, including basketball, ski ball, dunk tank and much more.

Travis Grimler is a staff writer for the Pineandlakes Echo Journal weekly newspaper in Pequot Lakes/Pine River. He may be reached at 218-855-5853 or travis.grimler@pineandlakes.com.

By Travis G. Grimler

Travis Grimler began work at the Echo Journal Jan. 2 of 2013 while the publication was still split in two as the Pine River Journal and Lake Country Echo. He is a full time reporter/photographer/videographer for the paper and operates primarily out of the northern stretch of the coverage area (Hackensack to Jenkins).

Backus Cornfest runs out of ribs thanks to crowd

Many noted the great crowd at the annual event.