What is TOUR de CORN??
It's the hospitality of a community. It's savoring the flavor of fresh sweet corn at rest stops. It's riding some of mid-America's less traveled rural highways with broad vistas of bayous, crop land and nature. It's the camaraderie of hundreds of other cyclists, and it's about riding for children.
Cyclists are invited to be attend the Main Street Party on the evening before the ride as the community celebrates America and Tour de Corn.
History of Tour de Corn
Tour de Corn began when a local cyclist, Mike Bryant, had the idea of starting a charity ride in East Prairie.
He approached Silvey Barker, then coordinator for East Prairie Tourism, with his idea. He said, “I wish the Office of Tourism would sponsor a ride.” The potential was discussed for a few minutes, and Mike said, “I don’t know what we’d call it, but I think it can be done!” That was in 2001.
Soon after the conversation, a committee of local cyclists and interested citizens gathered to form the Tour de Corn Committee. Today, the Tour de Corn Committee continues to be the backbone of the ride.
Attendance at Tour de Corn has grown from 175 in 2002 to over 800 in 2010!!!
The Tour de Corn Committee works year-round to create the best ride possible for the one-day event in June. Many of our cyclists have been attending since the first ride in 2002, and they continue to be our best advertisement - helping spread the word about Tour de Corn.
Come make Tour de Corn history, and join us for the 10th Annual Tour de Corn on June 25th, 2011.