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By Sara Marls

Leaders from the downtown business district say they’re prepping for the 12th annual Corn on the Curb, scheduled for August 2.

The event is being held by the Association of Downtown Businesses on the heels of Discover Downtown, which organizer Troy Hojnacki said was a big success, estimating 6,000-8,000 attendees to that event.

He expects Corn on the Curb to bring just as many visitors to the downtown area.

“We started Corn on the Curb for the same reason it continues each year- to bring awareness to downtown Stevens Point,” said Troy Hojnacki, owner of Graffiti’s Sports Pub and one of the event organizers. “After all the festivals around Center Wisconsin, all the county fairs and everything it’s a reminder that we’re here in Downtown Stevens Point; that all the shops and restaurants downtown are here to serve your hospitality needs, and we want to throw a family-friendly party with live entertainment and kids’ inflatables.”

Along with music and kid activities, as well as the usual karaoke contest finals, Hojnacki said this year’s corn eating contest is being sponsored by Crow Family Dental, which will also distribute dental floss to participants after the contest.

Hojnacki said he and other event organizer have heard the scuttlebutt that downtown is no longer a viable district- but he also says it’s not true.

“If you believe there’s nothing downtown, or that downtown is dying, you defiantly have not been downtown in a while. We definitely have a lot to offer,” he said. “We had the Discover Downtown event, which happened last week, and had a great turnout, it was a great success.”

Graffiti’s Sports Pub is catering the event, and new to the menu this year are fresh cheese curds and fresh-cut fries, along with polish sausage.

“And of course, the famous corn on the cob,” he said.

The event is free and open to the public. Food and beverage will be available for purchase.