By Lily Blackwell
Since 1997 Chino Valley FFA has sponsored the Chino Valley Corn Dinner. However, the roots of this event date back to 1950 when the women's fellowship of Chino Valley Community Church hosted the first gathering. Called “Corn Roast,” funds raised were used to support the church's mission trips and projects. The dinner typically consisted of beef, a vegetable, dessert and all the corn you could eat. During the first “Corn Roast” the corn was cooked in the church basement or outside over an open fire. Over time, volunteers and attendees increased, and moving to an elementary school cafeteria allowed for steady growth.
In 1956, Gil Bisjack, a longtime member of the Chino Valley Community Church, stepped in to provide corn for the dinner. He continued to do so for many years, making him a key supporter in the early days of this community event. Mrs. W.H. Sargent, President of the Women’s Fellowship, took over the event’s organization. By 1967 cooking the beef required the coordination of multiple kitchens inside various homes. Volunteers had to coordinate cooking times to ensure consistency in the beef.
The corn dinner became a part of the Chino Valley Territorial Days, bringing people from the entire county together. Word of the event spread throughout the state. In 1975 the event hosted Arizona Governor Raul Castro along with his party of 14. Castro was the first Mexican-American governor elected in Arizona, serving two years before being appointed as the U.S. ambassador to Argentina. U.S. Congressman Sam Steiger also attended that year's dinner.
The key to the success of the dinner was delicious locally grown corn. This is due to Chino Valley’s climate. Warm days and Cold Nights gave the corn a unique sweetness. The August 29, 1975 Prescott Courier claimed that “when you say ‘Corn Dinner’ folks immediately think of Chino Valley.”
As its popularity increased, the event needed more volunteers to support the growing crowds. Veterans of the corn dinner, like Rose Van Wormer and Annie Nunn, became instrumental in passing down their knowledge of this town tradition.
Attendance dwindled in the 1980s. After 38 years of organizing the dinner, the Chino Valley Community Church decided not to continue its sponsorship in 1988, leaving the town worried that they had eaten their last ear of unlimited corn. Luckily, the Chino Valley Red Cross saved this tradition by sponsoring the event for a year until the newly formed Chino Valley Kiwanis took over. With the loss of the church's support came the loss of many of their donors. Deep Well Ranch and Chino Valley Safeway took over primary responsibility for food donations at that time.
The Chino Valley chapter of Future Farmers of America (or FFA) joined with the Chino Valley Kiwanis Club to help organize the event. However, in 1997 the Chino Valley Kiwanis Club disbanded, and the FFA took over sponsorship responsibilities.
As we approach the 75th anniversary of the Chino Valley Corn Dinner, it remains one of the most important events in Chino Valley, symbolizing town fellowship and community support. This event offers a fantastic opportunity for students to learn about responsibility and the value of hard work. Students of the Chino Valley High School are now the dinner's biggest supporters; the FFA Agriculture class helps with organizing tasks such as shucking and preparing corn or handling ticket sales, and the culinary class makes desserts to sell at the event. The FFA Alumni also contribute their support, ensuring the event runs smoothly.
This year's 75th Corn Dinner is on Saturday, August 30th, 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Del Rio Elementary School in Chino Valley. Advanced admission to the Corn Dinner can be purchased at Mazy’s in Chino Valley. Call (928) 636-1262.
“Days Past” is a collaborative project of the Sharlot Hall Museum and the Prescott Corral of Westerners International (www.prescottcorral.org). This and other Days Past articles are also available at www.archives.sharlothallmuseum.org/articles/days-past-articles/1. The public is encouraged to submit proposed articles and inquiries to dayspast@sharlothallmuseum.org Please contact SHM Research Center reference desk at 928-277-2003, or via email at archivesrequest@sharlothallmuseum.org for information or assistance with photo requests.