12th Annual Ears & Beers Sweet Corn Festival - Save $5 before Thursday, August 22!

Sweet Corn, Bratwurst, and Brew, Illinois style. The event will be held again at San Dieguito County Park in Solana Beach just off Interstate 5.  Area 4 in the park is the preferred site by our Illini Club members.

This is an all-you-can-eat-&-drink event for adults and children of all ages. The pricing is as follows:

  • Adult - $25 (before August 22)
  • Adult - $30 (after August 22)
  • Children $5 (Age 5 through 13)
  • Children 4 & under FREE

The menu will include:

  • The BEST sweet corn you have ever tasted
  • Bratwurst, hot dogs, and chicken sausages, plus all the condiments and trimmings
  • Potato salad, baked beans, chips
  • Draft Modelo Negro Beer, plus Soda, beer in cans, wine, and water
  • Cookies and brownies for dessert
  • Depending on the number of early reservations, additional menu items may be added.  Sign up NOW!

SPECIAL GUESTS

Garrett Anderson, Jr., Ret. Sgt. U.S Army

Outreach Coordinator and Student Recruiter

Garrett was severely injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq.  He has been featured in numerous television promotions for the University.  He will be attending Ears & Beers for the third time representing the Chez Veterans Center that we support with our Club scholarship program.  He is the Outreach Coordinator and Student Recruiter at the Chez Veterans Center.  Garrett focuses on student recruitment targeting veterans with disabilities. He establishes and maintains connections with national and regional disability-related groups and organizations, especially veterans with disabilities. Garrett has connections with para-athletic and para-recreation opportunities to create additional options for student-veterans with disabilities, and builds upon the strong reputation of University of Illinois programs to establish new and maintain existing connections to local and distant community groups. Garrett Retired from the U.S. Army in 2006, received his degree in Criminal Justice from Illinois State University in 2010, and a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counselling from the University of Illinois Champaign- Urbana in 2018.

 

Tyler Gagai, Director of Illini Clubs

University of Illinois Alumni Association

Tyler is our Club's go-to guy for getting things done in Champaign-Urbana.  He provides monthly conferences with Club leaders to coordinate efforts between Clubs and the University.  Tyler’s primary focus at the Alumni Association is working closely with Illini Clubs to broaden and deepen their engagement with the alumni in their regions or constituencies through events, scholarship fundraising, and volunteer opportunities.   Prior to joining the University of Illinois Alumni Association in 2021, Tyler also worked with alumni clubs at The Ohio State University Alumni Association and the Ohio University Alumni Association.


Plan to enjoy all the FUN plus great food!!! San Dieguito County Park is beautiful with plenty of shade, great children's play areas, nice restrooms, hiking trails, etc. etc.  Make your reservations NOW!


On Saturday we will get the charcoal grills going early, and roast the corn in the wet husks. It will be kept warm, and then husked and served with plenty of melted butter. This is a proven method used by other Illini Clubs for over 25 years, and by us for eleven years.  We are now experienced and will be more than ready for a large, enthusiastic Illini crowd.

All profits will go to support the Club's Scholarship Fund to assist military veterans who are currently attending the University of Illinois.  Bring your friends, neighbors, relatives and anyone who likes to have a good time and enjoy a great picnic. Order your tickets now and check back often to get additional information.


We have reserved the well-shaded Area #4 at San Dieguito Park.  The park is only 2 miles from the ocean and has cooling breezes, ideal for a summer picnic!  The picnic will be from Noon to 5:00.  Food will be served from Noon to 4:30.  Reserve early so that we can adequately plan the menu and the activities.
 

Exit the I-5 at Lomas Santa Fe, and go east one mile. Then turn left at the first stop sign. The entrance to San Dieguito Park is on the right in about 100 yards. There will be a park ranger at the gate, and he will be charging $3.00 per car, and can direct you the short distance to Area #4. You could also park free just past the park entrance on a dirt area along the road and carpool or walk into the park.


Purchase Tickets NOW!