Murphy’s Maize Days Cornival is celebrating 16 years of fun on Saturday. The free Oct. 3 event in Central Park runs from noon until after the fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. 

Entertainment will be on the Methodist Richardson Medical Center Main Stage and the CoServ Community Stage. 

A highlight new this year is the corn eating contest from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on the community stage. It’s free to enter and there are three divisions: youth (under18), women’s and men’s. 

Contestants have 10 minutes to finish eight ears of corn, with the top prizes going to the fastest chompers.

Acts on the main stage are scheduled to be The Redwine Band from 5-6 p.m., The Buffalo Ruckus from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and Texas Flood, a Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute band, from 8-9:30 p.m.

The community stage will feature DJ Twisted E from 12-12:45 p.m. and 5-7 p.m., Gracen Wynn from 12:45-1:30 p.m., Alex O’aiza from 2-3 p.m. and a silent disco from 7-9 p.m.

Food vendors are subject to change. But registrations included The Pink Company, Cheros Latin Kitchen, Smōk’d TX BBQ, Cousins Maine Lobster, Kona Ice, Punjabi Junction, Smash Queen Burgers, Whip and Treats, La Taco Trona, Conway’s Corndogs, Fry Pies, Elotes los Brothers, HF Lemonade, The Confectionist Factory, The Healthy Hub and Yard Dawgs Kitchen and Cocktails.  

The Maize Midway will have games and rides, and the Primrose Playground will be available for younger tots. All rides have a minimum height requirement of 36 inches.

Other attractions include inflatables, farm games and the annual cornhole competition at 1 p.m. First place wins a $400 gift card, and the second-place prize is $100. 

Parking is free in Tom Kimbrough Stadium just to the north of the park and no shuttle will be available. VIP parking is $10 at the City Hall complex. 

Vendors accept cash but VIP parking and ride wristbands will require a credit or debit card. Wristbands are $15 before the event and $20 on the day of the festival. 

Dogs are allowed but must be leashed at all times.

Stay informed, and support your local community newspaper, subscribe to Murphy Monitor.