From The Messenger, Medina County's Source for Hometown News:

Last month’s Sweet Corn Festival inspired some reflections on this annual Lodi tradition along with some thoughts about one of Medina’s small-town communities:
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“I’ve lived in Lodi all my life, 75 years. Lodi is still a small town and everyone is really friendly.
The town has always had something each year like the Sweet Corn Festival but I’m not sure that’s what we’ve always called it.
I remember when we had a festival in park, usually in autumn, and there was a ferris wheel. I would always ride the merry-go-round. I think Lodi is great.” - Virginia Rice Kennedy.
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“I like living in Lodi. It’s small and you don’t have to wait in line.” - Jonathon McFee, age 12.
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“This was one of the better parades. I’ve come to the Sweet Corn Festival for the past nine years. My favorites are the candy and getting squirted.
“Lodi is a nice place to live.” - Nikkole Matson, age 9, Lodi resident.
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“I come to the parade every year because there’s always a lot of variety.” - Miriam Zemanzik of Homerville
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“I like parades and this is a mighty long one.” - Audrey Duecker of Westfield.
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“I got candy and squirted.” - Frankie Anderson, “The big boy,” age 4.

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“We started out in Lodi when we first married in 1947. Lodi is a quiet little town that hasn’t changed much since we lived here. We loved it.”- Alice Elizabeth Taylor and Robert Taylor of Mallet Creek
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The Messenger - “So, like Mathew, do you like the parade?”
Mathew Swingle, age 31/2, of Medina City - Nods yes.
The Messenger - “What’s your favorite so far? The fire trucks?”
Mathew - Big nod yes.
The Messenger - “Have you gotten lots of candy?”
Mathew - Nods yes.
The Messenger - “Did you get squirted with water from the fire trucks?”
Mathew - Nods yes.
The Messenger - “Did the noise from the fire trucks hurt your ears.”
Mathew - “Nonchalant nod no with a shrug of the shoulders.”
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“I love Lodi. I grew up in the area. I like how everybody knows everybody else.” - Amanda Swingle (Mathew’s mom)
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“I like the park and the nice people in Lodi. I also appreciate Lodi Lumber. But, the mail service is better in West Salem.” - Bill Henry, lived in Lodi since 1971. Bill delivers mail in West Salem.
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“I like the small town. Living in a small town makes it easier to socialize.” - Lodi resident wishing to remain anonymous.
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The Corn Festival is unique, a nice parade during the summer.” - George Steirer.***
There were a couple more floats this year. I liked the hillbilly float. Nobody seems to make floats for parades anymore. The Sweet Corn fireworks are the best I’ve ever seen.” - Sandy Churby, lifetime Lodi resident and mother to Dylan, Clintin and Austin.
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“I love the Sweet Corn Festival Parade because of the candy and water balloons and people spraying you with water. I especially loved the Boy Scout float decorated like a rocket ship.” - Mark Robbins, 12, from Wooster who brought his cousin Sean Espinoza from San Diego.
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“My favorite thing in the parade is the dirtbikes. I also like to squirt the semis and fire trucks.” - Dustin Parker, age 6 turning 7, on his way up a tree along the parade route with a really big water gun.
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“I like the old people in Lodi. This town is a peaceful place to be. As kids, we could walk down the street in the middle of the night. I live in Canton now and I’m moving back to Lodi.” - Todd Tomes, age 23.
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The Messenger - “Are you enjoying the parade?”
Zoe Kunsman, age 21/2 of Lodi - Nods yes.
The Messenger - “Do you like the noise?”
Zoe - Nods no.
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“My kids love it. We come every year. I grew up in Lodi and the festival is a tradition. My kids meet up with their cousins and hope for lots of candy.” - Jodi Steiskal, age 33, raised in Lodi.