Twenty-seven years ago, the Corn and Watermelon festival was held to raise funds for running candidates and incumbents. Saturday marked the twenty-seventh in a row and was held at the Brinkerhoff Avenue pavilion in South Park in Mansfield. The event took place from 12 noon to 3 p.m.
“One hundred percent of the proceeds [of this event] go to the candidates, after expenses. So it’s a lot of fun to really build up our coffers. Plus you get to meet incumbents from all over Richland County like, Congressman Romanchuck and Mayor Theaker,” said Mark Arnold, chairman of the Richland County Republican Party Central Committee.
The purpose of the festival, other than feeding attendees with sweet corn and juicy watermelon, was to support the local political figures that are running for re-election or beginning campaigns for office. All the candidates have the opportunity to sell tickets for their campaigns.
The festival supports Republicans, Democrats or Third Party candidates.
Among the new candidates was Randy Hutchinson, the Republican candidate for Mayor of Ontario. Hutchinson is married to Jamie, has a 29-year-old daughter, Brandy, and two grandsons, Grayson and Owen under the age of four.
Hutchinson retired after 26 years from the Ontario Police Department as a Lieutenant and served as Ontario’s first D.A.R.E Officer. Prior to retirement, he was in charge of the Criminal Division and organized Neighborhood Watch.
When asked how he likes being in politics now, he said, “It’s a lot of fun, I’m really enjoying it. I have met some really nice people along the way.”
Hutchinson intends to promote Ontario by interacting with existing local businesses and attracting new businesses. “We have to look at growth; we have some businesses coming to Ontario. I want to go out and really promote the city,” said Hutchinson.
All the food was locally prepared, with the corn and watermelon coming from Commissioner Tim Wert.
