Arcola celebrates its heritage as the “Broomcorn Capital of the World” with the renowned annual Broomcorn Festival. Visitors can see broom making, broom activities, arts and crafts vendors, free entertainment,5K and 10K race, great food, and a gigantic parade with our local, famous Lawn Rangers!

The event, always held the weekend after Labor Day, honors Arcola’s position in the late nineteenth century as a center of broomcorn production.

Broomcorn 5K & 10K

Choose to run either the 5K (3.1 miles) or 10K (6.2 miles) race or walk the 5K recreational walk on brick and hard surfaces through and north of Arcola, Illinois. Finish in downtown Arcola. The 5K course is all in town.

The course features police escorts, aid stations, and split times. Awards are given to the top 3 finishers in each age division. Plaques are awarded to the top overall finishers. Door prizes will be drawn (must be present to win). Awards are presented following the race at the Main Street stage.

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Arcola's Lawn Rangers

Arcola is famous for the Lawn Rangers, a “precision lawn mower drill team” that marches in formation with brooms and lawn mowers in the Arcola Broomcorn Parade. Every year since 1980, the Lawn Rangers have marched in the Arcola Broomcorn Festival Parade. This unique custom was publicized by humor columnist Dave Barry, who marched with the Lawn Rangers in 1995 and has written columns about them. In 2003, President Barack Obama marched with the Lawn Rangers in the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade to launch his race for the Senate. As a result, The World Famous Amazing Arcola Lawn Rangers were invited to march in the 2009 Inaugural Parade in Washington D.C.

2024 Broomcorn Parade Entry Form

Schedule of Events:

Friday, September 6, 2024

10am Festival Opens
10am Street & Food Vendors Open
12pm Kids Rides Open
3pm Grand Marshall Reception – Arcola Center
4pm National Broom Sweeping Contest
4pm Beer Pavilion Opens
8pm X-KRUSH Performs in the Beer Pavilion

Saturday, September 7, 2024

8am Broomcorn Festival 5k/10k Race at Moore Park
9am Festival Opens
9am Street & Food Vendors Open
10am Kids Rides Open
11am-1pm Worship and Praise Bands
12pm Miss Arcola Baby Pageant
12pm Beer Pavilion Opens
3pm HUGE Broomcorn Parade
5pm Los Fara Fara Performs in the Beer Pavilion
8pm Jane Doe Performs in the Beer Pavilion

Sunday, September 8, 2024

9am Festival Opens
9am Street & Food Vendors Open
10m Outdoor Church Service at Christian Church
11am Kiddie Tractor Pull
12pm Kids Rides Open
12pm Beer Pavilion Opens
1pm Jake & Mikayla Perform at Christian Church
2pm Drake Milligan Performs on Oak St. Stage
5pm Beer Pavilion Closes
5pm Festival Closes

For more information, contact the Arcola Chamber of Commerce at (217) 268-4530

Date: September 6-8, 2024

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