Munster resident Sal Lagosta summed up why more than 1,000 people devoured 2,700 ears of corn at the annual roast sponsored by the Highland Rotary Club.
“This may sound corny — pun intended,” he said, with a laugh. “But those commercials on TV that always say there’s more than corn in Indiana don’t address the fact that so many people love it to death. I, for one, eat it almost every day.”
The event, held in conjunction with the opening of the Highland Summer Theater Program, has been a community favorite for more than 30 years.
“We used to bring our kids to this; now they’re grown and they bring their own families,” Highland resident James Bates said, as he stood in the food line in Main Square Park. “You can’t beat the price and they have a good variety for the extras.”
The extras were hot dogs, polish sausage, chips and desserts.
The corn was prepared in the kitchen of Cakes by Karen after being shucked by the Highland High School girls cross country team. Dozens of volunteers kept the condiment table filled and the picnic tables cleared.
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And there was more than food.
“We’re staying for the play, our chairs are already set up,” former Highland resident Helene Martinson said of the performance of “Footloose,” by the Highland Community Theater. “I love this town. How many places can you go to get a great meal at a very reasonable price and see a free play afterward?”
Larry Noreno of Highland is another who’s been enjoying the festival for years.
“We always thought this was a great secret when it first started when our kids were little,” he said. “But word caught on and it’s become pretty crowded. But even with that, I’ve never heard one complaint about anything all these years.”
Keith Bruxvoort, fundraising chairman for the Highland Rotary Club, said the event is important to the group and the community.
“This is our only fundraiser,” he said. “We have a number of people who donate by buying tickets for their employees and/or friends, in addition to individual sales. We have great community support for this.”
The money goes to the uniform fund for the Highland High School girls cross country team, Dollars for Scholars, Highland Parks Department, and Highland Police Department, among other organizations and efforts.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter with the Post-Tribune.