Blog Post

World's Largest Rotating Ear Of Corn: world record in Coon Rapids, Iowa

Jun 22, 2023

Coon Rapids, Iowa, United States--Perched at the entrance to Coon Rapids, Iowa, “In the Heart of Corn Country” is a sign not only welcoming you to the fair town, but also displaying a giant ear of corn; the 10 foot behemoth sets the world record for being the World's Largest Rotating Ear Of Corn, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

"Driving down Highway 141 through Iowa you may come across this strange type of town marker," the Silly America says.

"Perched at the entrance to Coon Rapids, Iowa, “In the Heart of Corn Country” is a sign not only welcoming you to the fair town, but also displaying a giant ear of corn so big if you tried to eat it you’d be picking remnants from your teeth for weeks. It’s an a-maize-ing roadside attraction in Iowa!

"Standing at about 10-feet tall this big ear of corn slowly rotates as an American flag flies above it. Talk about genetically modified vegetables!"

"Coon Rapids is a strange place. After all, what town would decide that their most famous roadside attraction should be the world's largest rotating ear of corn?" the Only In Your State says.

"They're certainly commemorating Iowa's agriculture with this 10 foot behemoth!"

"It's the town "Where Khrushchev Met Roswell Garst." Garst was an agricultural missionary to Russia, and when Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev visited the US in September 1959, he (and a mob of reporters) made a special visit to Coon Rapids to meet him," the Roadside America says.

"Mar 2009: Coon Rapids 7th Grader Jon Heydon writes: "The ear of corn in Coon Rapids has been moved to the west at another intersection. The previous location of the rotating corn has been replaced by 3 gigantic silos that represent Coon Rapids hybrid corn history. They are 30 feet high and are well lit and are abstract in their nature.

"This is all part of Coon Rapids being identified as one of 'Iowa's Great Places.' There are only six of these communities labeled in Iowa."

"Coon Rapids is a city in Carroll and Guthrie counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 1,300 at the 2020 census, which is a decrease of 5 from the 2000. The small portion of Coon Rapids that lies in Guthrie County is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.

"In October 2005, Coon Rapids-Whiterock area was elected a "Great Place" of Iowa for its rich history and resources, and creative future vision. The Great Places program, launched by Governor Tom Vilsack and implemented by the Department of Cultural Affairs, aimed to concentrate state agency resources on high-potential communities.

"The first three Iowa Great Places (Coon Rapids, Clinton and Sioux City) were each awarded $1 million in seed money by the Iowa legislature. In September 2007, Coon Rapids was also awarded a $1.7 million Vision Iowa grant. The Coon Rapids Great Place Program combines natural resource restoration with trails, public park development, elder care, diversity, historic preservation, micro enterprise support, and tourism marketing. (Wikipedia)