The Oak Park Farmers' Market's annual corn roast returns Sunday, Aug. 9, after thunderstorms canceled the market two weeks ago and left the Pilgrim Congregational Church parking lot quiet on what would have been the season's busiest stretch.

Fresh-picked corn from local farms will hit the roaster starting around 9 a.m. at 460 Lake St., one block west of Ridgeland Avenue. Each ear costs $3. The Village of Oak Park says cash is required; credit cards are not accepted for corn purchases. The roasting runs until about noon.

The event is a fundraiser that dates to 1982, when the market first fired up its roasters. The market itself is older still, founded in 1976 by Oak Park residents Marge Gockel and Carla Lind. It originally operated on North Boulevard before moving to the Pilgrim Church lot in 1978.

The Village canceled the Aug. 1 market due to forecasted thunderstorms, making the Aug. 9 corn roast the community's first gathering at the market in two weeks. The Village promoted the event on X on Wednesday, Aug. 5, urging residents to bring cash for the $3 ears.

Beyond the corn, the regular market runs 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. with more than two dozen independent farmers and producers selling fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, cheese, eggs, flowers, bread and honey. According to the Village's market page, many vendors accept LINK/SNAP cards, which the market has offered since 2011.

Free parking is available in the Oak Park and River Forest High School garage on Scoville Avenue, just north of Lake Street. Oak Park Township also offers rides for seniors living in Oak Park and River Forest; call 708-383-4806 weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to schedule a pickup. Suggested donation is $1.

The next special market event is the annual Pie Bake-Off on Sept. 19, followed by Stone Soup on the season's final day, Nov. 14.