A popping good time at the Avon Corn Festival

AVON — The Town of Avon was popping as they celebrated the 27th Annual Avon Corn Festival.

There was a variety of things to do at the Avon Corn Festival on Saturday but the underlying theme seemed to be, make, sell, and buy local.

Just a few of the many options available for purchase that are made, sold, and bought locally at the Avon Corn Festival were homemade all natural popcorn, homemade jams and jellies, and handcrafted woodwork.

“All natural is what sets us apart from the rest,” said Deb Torp, co-owner of Two Cousins All Natural Popcorn.

Two Cousins All Natural Popcorn was established in Rochester about one year ago by Deb Torp and her cousin Deb Garnham.

“We bake out of our houses,” said Torp. “Our only venue is local shows.”

Two Cousins All Natural Popcorn comes in seven different flavors that include cranberry orange, peanut brittle, black coffee, chocolate cookie crunch, cinnamon apple, caramel, and baklava. All of the assortments are gluten free.

Another locally owned delight was Jackie’s Jams and Jellies from Rochester. Owner, Jackie Kukurudza was not present at the corn festival however her sisters Luba McCann and Ursula Boothe sold jams and jellies on her behalf.

“We come to the corn festival every year to sell these jams and jellies,” said Boothe.

Jackie’s Jams and Jellies offers over 50 flavors ranging from coconut walnut to raspberry jalapeno.

“Jackie has a certified kitchen in Rochester,” said Boothe. “All of the jams are made in small batches and take a long time to make.”

Jackie’s Jams and Jellies has traveled to as far as Buffalo however only sells at local craft shows.

“When people first see our prices they normally think that our prices are high but that’s only because they don’t know what goes into making jams and jellies, if they did they would realize they are worth every penny,” said Boothe.

Rob Benedict of Holley New York, specializes in woodworking.

“I would say that wishing wells and adirondack chairs are my specialty,” said Benedict.
Benedict is a part time barber and has been selling his woodwork for 20 years at local craft shows, out of his front yard, and outside of his barber shop.

Benedict’s artwork ranges between $7.50 to $200.

“Business is average in Avon,” said Benedict.

Benedict only travels to craft shows in western New York.

Along with his beautiful woodwork, Benedict also sells planes crafted out of pop cans.

“I specialize in woodworking but I sell the planes because they sell, just the planes themselves pay for my tent here,” said Benedict.

The seeds of local businesses have grown into something “a-maize-ing”, that was proudly shown off at the Avon Corn Festival.