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For more than five decades, the Holland Corn Festival has brought together generations of locals to celebrate the crop that built the town.

HOLLAND, Texas — For the people of Holland, Texas, corn isn’t just something you plant—it’s something you grow into. From pageant crowns to farm boots, the 51st annual Holland Corn Festival, kicking off next weekend, June 20-21, will show the heart and soul of a small town where deep roots run strong and everyone knows where their food—and their friends—come from.

“It’s the root of Holland,” Sarah Morris, Corn Fest Queen, said. “It’s amazing. There’s corn everywhere. But really—it’s about the people.”

That theme echoes across fields, fairgrounds, and the parade route this weekend as families gather to celebrate agriculture, heritage, and each other.

This year’s festival comes with a bit more hope in the air, especially for local farmers like Aaron Martinka, who owns AKA Farms just outside of town.

“It started uncertain,” Martinka said. “March was dry. But then April brought rain, and it’s kept coming.”

Corn is a major crop in the region—one look around the Holland countryside and you’ll see why the town embraces it so tightly.

“There’s corn, cotton, wheat—but corn is primary,” he explained.

Martinka’s farm, like many others, fuels more than just the economy—it fuels the spirit of the Corn Fest, which honors the hard work behind each harvest.

“As farmers, we’re just here to feed people,” he added. “That’s what we’ve always done.”

The Corn Festival officially kicks off Friday night with live music, and fittingly, it starts with a local band whose name is as Holland as it gets.

“West Travis is the name of the street we grew up on—500 West Travis,” said Nathan Avakivicic, lead singer of the West Travis Band.

“My brother Nick and I started the band almost 20 years ago.”

Playing a mix of classic rock and country covers, the West Travis Band helps open the show, but for Avakivicic, the real spotlight is always on the community.

“Cornfest was like Christmas growing up,” he said.

“Our dad was chairman for years, and we were always helping out, behind the scenes. It’s more than a concert. It’s a hometown tradition.”

While the corn might be tall, it’s the youngest residents of Holland who often shine the brightest during the festival. From Little Miss contests to teen titles, the pageants give girls across the community a place to build confidence and represent their hometown.

“I cried when I won. I was so happy—it’s my first year,” said Britton Jones, Tiny Miss Corn Fest. When asked if the crown was fun to wear, she said with a giggle, “It hurts my head.”

Older contestants echoed how meaningful the experience has been.

“We get to help with games, award ceremonies, and parades. It’s fun, but it also teaches you a lot,” said Morris.

Over near the park’s playground, smoke will fill the air as pitmasters from across the region will fire up brisket, ribs, chicken—and yes, even corn—for the Corn Fest Barbecue Cook-Off.

“The Champions Barbecue Alliance sanctions us,” said Austen Marwitz, a lifelong Corn Fest attendee and this year’s cook-off organizer.

“We’ve got everything from brisket to sweet corn. If you like barbecue, this is the place.”

Marwitz said the event is more than just food—it’s a reunion.

“It’s the one time of year everyone comes back. High school friends, old neighbors—it’s more than a festival. It’s like coming home.”

Few people know the festival’s history better than Stanley Koonsen, who joined the Corn Fest committee in 1976 and served as chairman for 25 years.

“It’s always been about helping the community,” Konson said.

“We’ve funded scholarships, built the park. It brings people together and keeps the town strong.”

After passing the leadership baton, Koonsen now works at his grandson’s local market but continues to attend every year.