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2003 Recap
The 2003 Corn Palace Festival was one of the best years on record for attendance and revenue. With five outstanding shows and the South State Pedal Pull, the Corn Palace Festival saw an increase in numbers and featured entertainment for everyone’s taste. “Our attendance was up significantly for the shows, the freedom stage and on the midway, the weather was perfect, the vendors were very successful, and the festival recorded a profit. Wow, what an incredible year,” stated Corn Palace Director Mark Schilling. The Corn Palace Festival ran Wednesday, August 27th through Labor Day, September 1st. The festival began with a performance by the legendary Willie Nelson. Willie Nelson let the music speak for him during his sold-out concert Wednesday night at the Corn Palace, singing music as diverse as the blues and his trademark country tune, “On the Road Again.” World's Only Corn Palace seats just over 3,000 for concerts and sold out a month in advance. At the Williams & Ree concert, fun was more important than politeness. So in keeping with tradition, “The Indian and the White Guy” poked fun at everything from Willie Nelson’s well-documented marijuana usage to cell phones during their show on August 28th at the Corn Palace. The pair even encouraged the audience of about 2,300 to turn on their cell phones. “I want them to hear what fun they’re missing tonight,” said Terry Ree, the Indian in the duo. “Yeah,” added Bruce Williams. “And if you have a phone that vibrates, you can sit on it.” “They’re just funny,” said Peggy Hines, of Mitchell. The concert sold well because tickets were very reasonably priced at only $10. The pair even had fun with the 80-plus-year-old Corn Palace and the interior corn murals. “The Corn Palace is legendary. I mean, when we were driving across the country, all we had to do is say Corn Palace and people immediately identified not only with the State of South Dakota, but the hardy pioneer spirit of the Dakota people. Your people founded that spirit,” Williams said to Ree. “And then we stole it from you and built cool buildings.” The Corn Palace was a rocking when Tom Jones took to the stage on Friday, August 29th. And yes, Tom Jones’ fans are still throwing their bras and panties, but their arms aren’t quite what they used to be. Intimate clothing began littering the stage when Jones, 63, broke into “She’s a Lady.” Jones sang 22 songs, including most of his older hits and some new material. The concert lasted about an hour and a half, with 2,233 people in attendance. The International smash hit "Spirit of the Dance" is known as one of the most successful shows ever to come out of Ireland and has been seen by more than twenty million people around the world. More than 20 dancers with Spirit of the Dance hit the stage Saturday night at the Corn Palace. This high-energy show delighted the crowd and had an attendance of 2,244 people. The Corn Palace Festival Committee brought back Brule` to the 2003 Corn Palace Festival line-up. Brule` put on an incredible performance last year and everyone wanted them back again this year. This year’s paid attendance was 1,640, nearly doubling the 826 people that paid for the Brulé concert last year. Hailed as “The Native American Yanni,” Brule`s live performance created contagious excitement and provided a powerful and inspirational message. SHARPMUSIC.com, Paulson’s Music Center and Hohn Electronics sponsored this year's expanded Corn Palace Freedom Stage. Main Street came alive with the sounds of the area's best talent including: Christina Bulatao, Kaye Haug, Mallorie Haley, Sheri Mogck, Hailey Soyland, Nathan Payant, Handiicapp Allstars, SWIM, Tyndall Accordion Club, The Koenigs, Jason Zehr, Lacey Laurendeau, Barb Valer and the Siouxland Singers. The Freedom Stage featured hourly entertainment throughout the Corn Palace Festival. Schilling stated, “It was amazing to walk out of a Tom Jones concert and see hundreds of teenagers dancing around the freedom stage to the sounds of Handiicapp Allstars.” On Labor Day the Corn Palace played host to the South Dakota State Pedal Pull. Over 400 children ages 4 to 12 participated in the event. Trophies were awarded to the top three boys and girls in each age bracket. Sales were up for Gold Star Amusements, which provided the carnival rides and games. The repeat business is up significantly. Schilling said the number of $35 Passport to Fun wristbands, which allow carnival-goers to ride for free throughout the week, tripled from a little more than 100 wristbands sold last year to more than 300 wristbands sold this year. For thrill seekers, this year’s carnival had something new to offer - a 90-foot-tall ride known as the Super Shot. “It is our No. 1 ride,” said Mike Featherston, owner of the company. “It’s a 90-foot freefall.” The 12 seats for the Super Shot are arranged around a 90-foot tower. The contraption is designed to carry a dozen riders to the top of the tower and then let them free fall suddenly to the bottom of the ride. The 2004 Corn Palace Festival is set for September 1st through September 6th. Plans for the 2004 entertainment are already in progress. If you would like to be added to our mailing list to receive information about the festival, please send your full mailing address to mschilling@midco.net.
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