Mavis Miller steps up to the 2008 Cornfest cutout photo opp Friday at Cornfest.

Cornfest returned with corn on the cob, candy corn, a cornhole tournament, and kettle corn.

There were also things that didn’t have corn in its name — music, a dunk tank, a petting zoo, non-corn food and drink, bounce houses, and fireworks… it was a regular street party.

Due to COVID-19, Youngsville hadn’t hosted a Cornfest for two years. It was about time.

“The community is happy to see the return of the Cornfest,” Ellie Dunn of the Revitalization of Youngsville (ROY) said.

“This is something that’s always been a lot of fun,” ROY President John Papalia said. “It’s something that the town has missed.”

Bentley Howard celebrates Cornfest with an ear of corn Friday. Landon did not.

“It’s just getting people about out and together again,” Papalia said.

Visitors were consistent in expressing their appreciation for the event and having a family-friendly gathering in downtown Youngsville.

“It’s nice that they’re trying to get it back up again,” Sue Ward said. “It’s nice to see the hometown, family atmosphere. Hopefully, it gets even bigger.”

Four-year-old Jazlynn Ward was all about the bounce houses.

“It’s nice to see something happening in town again,” Joe Wallace said,. “We brought the kids (who were having their faces painted). It’s something downtown for them to do outside.”

, Samantha Mattson has her face painted Friday evening at Cornfest.

“It’s always good having anything going on in Youngsville,” Jason Lord said.

Nine-year-old Ella Lord was enjoying lemonade and looking forward to the bounce houses and petting zoo.

Seven-year-old Carter had the kettle corn. He, too, was angling for time at the petting zoo.

Jim Miller is a veteran of Cornfest’s — in fact he believes he’s been to every one. “I have lots of good memories here,” he said.

At the 2014 Cornfest, the mayor presented Miller with the Community Service Award.

“It gets a lot of people together,” Miller said. “I’ve lived here in this community for 63 years, was a teacher at the high school for 37 years, drove school bus for 57 years.”

“We need it here,” he said.

ROY had a partner this year, collaborating with Youngsville Heart and Soul to run the event.

“This is a new experience for the organizers,” Ellie Dunn said. “We’re getting our feet wet.”

“This year, we looked at it as starting over… laying the foundation,” Papalia said. “Let’s build it back out.”

“The easiest thing to do was start with a street fest,” he said.

The entities used the event to gather information, to pave the way not only for future Cornfests, but for the future of the community.

For a story, visitors could have a free ear of corn. That story could be written in the “Why do you love Youngsville” board.

The organizers were hoping for: “What do you like? What would you like to see? Or a memory,” Papalia said. “If you could bring something here, what would that be?”