We challenge YOU to sink your teeth into the Shippensburg Corn Festival’s 2026 Corn Eating Contest.
The contest will take place at the Main Stage at Library square around 11:45 AM – 12:00 PM. Contestants may sign up until about 11 a.m. – but seating is limited at the contestants’ table, so sign up early to ensure a spot. You can sign up at the information booth on the square. You can also email timhess12@icloud.com to reserve your spot. However, you must check in at the information booth the day of the Corn Festival or your spot will be filled.
Winners get fame, prestige, cash prizes, photos with local royalty, and all the corn they can eat in three minutes. Losers also get all the corn they can eat in three minutes.
Corn Eating Contest Rules
- Participants must be 18 years or older to compete and will be chosen on a first-come, first served basis. Space is limited to 10 contestants.
- Salt and water will be available to all contestants.
- Participants will eat as many ears of corn on the cob as they are able in the allotted time of 3 minutes.
- When time is up, any food that is already in a contestant’s mouth will count if they swallow it within 30 seconds.
- To be considered completely eaten the participant must have consumed (this includes swallowing of the kernels) at least 90% of the corn on the cob. Judges will be assigned to determine if ears are being eaten to completion.
- Any contestant that cannot stomach the food they have eaten will be disqualified.
- In the event of a tie, a one and half minute “eat-off” will take place. Rules above apply to the “eat-off” as well.
- All rules and decisions are at the contest organizer’s discretion. All decisions made by the contest organizer are final.
PRIZES
1st Place: Plaque and $50.00
2nd Place: $35.00
3rd Place: $15.00
Shippensburg Corn Festival 