News : Guild painters prepare corn statues for weekend Arts in the Park auction

Name that tune: The base of this musically-themed corn statue includes a familiar song.

This corn statue honors Vinton's Boomtown/fireworks tradition.

Music is the theme of this ear.

Paul Roster created this theme, using the colors of Indian corn.

The members of the Vinton Guild of Fine Arts have been putting the final touches on the corn statues that will be sold via silent auction during Saturday's 2nd Annual Arts in the Park event at Celebration Park.

A dozen or so of the themed 7-foot-tall ears of corn will be available on Saturday. Many of them are currently on display at Farmers Savings Bank.

The themes include a Virginia Gay Hospital Christmas tree with pink decorations (a tribute to the Gifts of Hope Fund and the Tree of Lights fund-raiser); music and Boomtown. Some businesses, including Pioneer and Iowa Land Management, are also represented.

The musically-themed ear of corn has a series of music notes around its base.

"It's actually a song," said FSB employee and guild member Terese Foth. "People have a chance to read the notes and see if they can guess which song it is."

The guild has 20 of these corn statues; some will be sold in August during the Boomtown/Boomfest weekend.

The Arts in the Park festival begins at 9 a.m Saturday. Many area artists will display their work and offer items for sale. Another display featuring the planned Cedar River project will offer information about that effort by artists and river enthusiasts. Live music, activities for children and other events are part of this annual festival.