Celebrating Corn & Community at the 48th Annual South Shore YMCA Corn Festival

HANOVER, MA – The South Shore YMCA celebrated its 48th Annual Corn Festival on Saturday, October 24, welcoming almost 1,000 community members to the Emilson YMCA and South Shore YMCA Family Farm for a day of fall fun, family traditions, and community connection.

With beautiful fall weather and activities for all ages, the annual celebration brought families, friends, and neighbors together to enjoy live entertainment, seasonal treats, and outdoor activities. For nearly five decades, Corn Festival has been a beloved South Shore tradition, offering families an opportunity to celebrate the season and make lasting memories together.

The Corn Festival began nearly 50 years ago at the South Shore YMCA Nature Center in Norwell to raise awareness for the Y’s mission of environmental education. As the event grew, it moved to the Emilson Y in Hanover, where the expanded campus and Family Farm provide space for more activities, local vendors, and thousands of visitors each year.

The South Shore YMCA Family Farm was a highlight of the festivities, where families enjoyed pumpkin decorating, a petting zoo, and opportunities to explore the farm grounds. These hands-on experiences invited children and adults alike to connect with nature, learn more about the farm, and experience the beauty of fall in New England.

Of course, corn was at the center of the celebration! Local food vendors served up a variety of creative corn-inspired treats, including Bardo’s Chili Chicken & Elote Pizza, featuring creamed corn, chili-roasted chicken, and fresh toppings. Hottsmoke offered homemade cornbread and Mexican street corn salad, while Hetty Sweets Bakery served kettle corn lemonade. Showcase Cinemas also joined the festivities with freshly popped popcorn, free to all attendees.

Behind the scenes, approximately 40 dedicated South Shore YMCA staff members and volunteers helped bring the event to life. Among them was longtime volunteer Jim Spinale, a retired science teacher who has been part of every Corn Festival since the tradition began 48 years ago. Known affectionately as “Mister Jim,” he has volunteered at the South Shore YMCA Nature Center for more than 25 years, inspiring generations of young learners through his passion for science and discovery. His popular Professor Jim’s Corn Lab was a highlight of the festivities, inviting families to explore the science of corn through fun, hands-on experiments. “I’ve been to every Corn Festival since we started, and every year I’m amazed by how our community comes together,” shared Spinalle. “It’s so great to see!”

The sense of community was equally meaningful for Serah Selmon, Chief Operating Officer of the South Shore YMCA, who experienced her first Corn Festival this year. “From walking the Storybook Trail to exploring the farm and the Emilson YMCA grounds, it’s been wonderful to see the way our community comes together to bond over corn,” shared Selmon. “What a wonderful tradition for the South Shore YMCA!”

For Sarah Kugel, Director of the South Shore YMCA Nature Center, Corn Festival represents the importance of creating opportunities for families to connect with the outdoors. “We were fortunate to celebrate the Corn Festival with such a beautiful fall day! Our goal is always to bring families and the community together to enjoy the fall season and spend time outdoors,” shared Kugel. “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who made the day so special, from the families who joined us to our volunteers, musicians, entertainers, and local vendors. Events like this are a wonderful opportunity to step away from the everyday, enjoy some fresh air, and make memories together.”

As another successful Corn Festival comes to a close, the South Shore YMCA extends its gratitude to the staff, volunteers, local businesses, and community members who helped make the celebration possible. Now in its 48th year, Corn Festival continues to reflect the Y’s commitment to bringing people together, strengthening community connections, and creating meaningful experiences for families across the South Shore.