'A Tough Year': New Berlin Club Affected By Fair Cancellation
NEW BERLIN, WI— Forget the Wisconsin State Fair cream puff for a second. Another staple of the fair is the buttery and salty roasted corn. The New Berlin Lions have managed the corn booth since 1960. Who could forget "Cornelius," the walking and smiling ear of corn that would stop for pictures.
The fair was set to open this week but was canceled amid the coronavirus pandemic. The New Berlin Lions normally donate over $100,000 to organizations and the community each year. Many of these organizations count on this donation which comes from the Fourth of July event and the fair.
"This is a very tough year," said Jerry Johnson, a member of the New Berlin Lions.
The New Berlin Lions Club are members of community service clubs, "dedicated to the idea that the men and women who live in a community are in the best position to know who needs help and why," according to the Lions' website.
"The fair corn roast is our biggest fundraiser each year. As a 501c3, we raise money to give back to the community," said Jennifer Young, 1st V.P. Lion.
Since 1990, the Lions have donated over $2 million to local charities. The Lions donate to the volunteer groups who help staff the corn roast stand during the fair, and also donate to both Lions and local organizations. One such organization is the Wisconsin Lions Camp.
"Without the corn roast, we wouldn't be able to provide the same level of support," Young said.
The only time Johnson has experienced anything like the pandemic was after the September 11 attacks.
"It was different but a very traumatic thing. People kind of hunkered down after that, of their own choice," Johnson said.
Although disappointed, Johnson told Patch he agrees with the decision to cancel the fair.
"Even if they would have held the fair, they would probably have a third of people attending," Johnson said.
The Wisconsin State Fair is currently holding a Fair Food drive-thru offering 40 different items over 2.2 miles throughout the historic Milwaukee Mile and State Fair Park.
"We were asked to participate in the drive-thru but we were concerned about COVID-19 concerns of public and club members and cost that we’d be charged by the fair to participate," Johnson said.
Memories of the fair
Young joined the Lions because her father has been a Lion since she was a child. Young's father recommended the New Berlin Lions because their culture was a good fit for her. She joined in 2015 and has been active from the start.
Young's life has been full of fundraising events, festivals, conventions. She has wonderful memories of the Wisconsin State Fair.
One year, a film crew came out and filmed a scene with 3rd Rock from the Sun star Kristen Johnson eating the Lions' corn.
Young also loved seeing the mascot, Cornelius, interacting with the crowds and being part of the State Fair parade.
"The legacy this club has built with the corn roast is amazing. I'm humbled and proud to be part of it," Young said.
Corn sale announced
To offset the loss, the Lions are selling corn on the following days:
Noon to 8 p.m. Aug. 8 at Station No 06 Beer Garden, 6800 W. Becher St.
Noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 9 at Station No 06 Beer Garden, 6800 W. Becher St.
4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Sanfelippo's Classic Car Show, 15055 W. National Ave.
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Food Vendors, 15055 W. National Ave.
You can also order raw corn in individual or bulk quantities, and also buy the special Lions corn seasoning (in two flavors - Traditional or Lion's Roar). Go to the website, then come see members at one of the four in-person dates to pick up the corn and seasoning. Each item on the order form specifies a date and location.
While the corn is not cooked, Johnson offered up a way for people to make the corn on their own.
"My mother used to use sugar and salt in the water and boil the corn. It is incredibly good," Johnson said.
This article originally appeared on the Waukesha Patch
