Manito is gearing up for its biggest, tastiest annual celebration.     And this year, Central Illinois residents young and old will gather at the small town just seventeen   miles southwest of  Pekin to see what's poppin’!
School may be starting but summer isn't officially over - at least not for the residents of Manito,  Illinois, who are eagerly preparing for the annual Manito Popcorn Festival on September 4th, 5th, and 6th, at the Veteran's Park & Forman Center.
The festival began as a one-day celebration held on July 4, 1972, with a committee of just two members and a $100.00 budget. Today, the festival has ballooned into a three-day event with a budget of nearly $20,000. The annual gathering each Labor Day weekend has more and more residents and visitors to the town calling Manito "home for the holiday."
A Great Idea
Although Manito resident Lee Lacey, 67, has chaired the festival for the past 35 years, the idea for the celebration originated with Phyllis Sondag, 74, and her one-time neighbor, Linda.
"It was really more Linda's idea than mine," laughs Phyllis. "Linda was all about let's do something,' while I was more of a tagalong."
The two ladies organized the first festival by seeking support from local places of worship to arrange an Old Fashioned Picnic in the Park. Although finances were scarce, there was no shortage of work ethic. The celebration was soon hoppin' with a frog-jumping contest and auctioned box lunches. Another celebration followed in 1973 accompanied by game and food booths in the park. As the event grew, so did the need for leadership. In 1974, Phyllis and Linda contacted Lee, who had retired from the service one-year prior and had purchased a grocery store, to assume the duties of chairman.
"He seemed ready and willing (to take on the task)," says Phyllis.
Lee says he enjoyed the festival even before the twosome approached him. "I had a hot dog and soda stand," says Lee. "When Linda and Phyllis came to me I was surprised, but I said I'd try it, and I've been here ever since."
Nineteen seventy-four was also the year the Forman Homecoming Association formed from a group called the Manito Community Improvement Association. A formal budget was adopted, and the festival, then known as the Forman Homecoming, began to grow. In 1978, the celebration was moved from Independence Day to Labor Day Weekend and expanded from one to three days. Two contests were added, including Citizen of the Year and a formal Queen Contest. This was also the first year meals were served beneath the famous 40x80 tent.
"We have pretty much everything when it comes to food," says Lee. "We have a fish fry Friday, chicken barbecue and rib-eye steaks Saturday, and butterfly pork chops on Sunday."
Hot dogs, corn dogs, funnel cakes, elephant ears, onion rings, french fries, fried snickers, fried pickles, walking tacos, tenderloins, hamburgers, and ice cream are just a few more of the tasty treats served around the park.
Season of Change
Throughout the 1980s the celebration continued to thrive as new activities, such as the stock garden tractor pull, were added. In 1990, the festival name was officially changed to the Manito Popcorn Festival, accumulating fresh interest from local news media and drawing new faces to each annual event. The name's significance comes from the fact that Mason County, which houses the town of Manito, and Tazewell County, not far from Manito, are major popcorn producers in Illinois. One of the biggest producers of popcorn in the world, Weaver Popcorn, has a production facility located just south of Manito in Forest City.
The festival houses a vast array of events, which begin at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 5th with the Flag Raising Ceremony & Memorial Service conducted by the American Legion and Auxiliary, and continue on Saturday at 7:45 a.m. with the annual One Mile Fun Run. Activities begin bright and early Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. with breakfast hosted in the Legion Hall.
"Our schedule is full with several events each year," says Lee. "We have the 2009 Festival Battle of the Bands when bands perform for twenty minutes in front of judges. We have the popcorn princess contest, a talent contest, and sand volleyball. Our talent competition draws singers, dance groups, and acrobats."
Lee says the craft show and lip sync contest always draw a crowd. In 1996, a 40x120 tent was erected for the craft show. By 2008, a Craft Village was created. The lip sync contest is one of the most popular events. "We started it thinking it would just be a one- or two-year thing," says Lee. "It's gotten bigger and better every year.”
Other favorite activities include the dime toss and antique tractor pull. The festival also features an annual Saturday morning parade. "We usually have between 90 and 120 entries," says Lee. "We have floats and bands, and an elephant that shoots popcorn. This year's (festival) theme is "My Favorite Things," so the exhibits in the parade will probably have something to do with that."
Kids, tweens, teens, and adults at this year's festival may also try their hand at the popcorn recipe and sculpture contests, which will take place on Saturday, and a three on three basketball tournament will take place on Saturday in the park
That Hometown Feeling
Amidst the circus of afternoon and evening events, Lee claims the town's seniors enjoy laughing, visiting, and "just sittin' under the pavilion."
"The festival is a great time to meet and greet old friends," he says. "Seniors really seem to enjoy the lip syncing contest. Some will even reserve a space in the morning for the contest in the evening."
A senior herself, Phyllis says she enjoys working with members of local churches to fix Sunday's pork chop dinner. "We began with around three or four different churches," she says. "There was a Methodist church and a Catholic church. I can remember when we used to fix hamburger instead of pork chops."
Lee says the festival has been a boon for the community. "People use the celebration as a vacation time," he says. "They come home from all parts of the United States and are able to see people at this festival that they haven't seen in a long time.”
Lee estimates a couple thousand people from churches, city groups, high school classes and out-of-towners tour the festival each year.
Then-Congressman Ray LaHood visited the festival on more than one occasion. The festival's size and crowd appeal contributes to the "hometown feeling" that keeps Manito's residents content and lures visitors to come back for more.
"The festival is our biggest thing this time of year," says Lee. "It helps keeps businesses involved and creates a sense of camaraderie among residents. Grocery stores, gas stations, everybody benefits from it."
Lee says he is proud of the fact that the festival has never been a "beer can celebration." "You don't have to be afraid to bring your small children here," he says. "This is strictly a family celebration."
What's Next?
The workers and participants in the Manito Popcorn Festival are expecting big things in the years to come. In 2010, The Heroes Wall will make an appearance in Manito during the festival. "The festival has just improved tremendously," says Lee. "I always see so many people hard at work when Labor Day weekend gets here.” 
"We live one block from the park where it's held," adds Phyllis. "Every Labor Day weekend, our backyard is always full of people. It's a great event!"
For more information on the Manito Popcorn Festival, visit www.manito-popcorn-festival.com. It includes a full schedule of events with days and times as well as entry forms and deadlines.Add your content here