ARCOLA, Ill. (WCIA) — The Arcola Broom Corn Festival is back this weekend, meaning people in town — including Mayor Jesus Garza — can return to their favorite annual traditions.

“The sweep contest, I wish I could win, I won a couple years ago,” Garza said. “People love it, and I love it too.”

The festival started in 1970 as a way to honor the city’s history of broom manufacturing and its former status as the broomcorn capital of the world.

“The city started growing with the factories, the broom factories are what they started working on,” Garza said. 

This year, the city is taking its commitment to honoring nearby factories a step further with the grand opening of its new Broom Palace.

Inside the building, you can find brooms, old factory equipment and one of the best views you can get of the city. Organizers say it’s been in the works a long time.

“We’ve been really working on this spot in the city for several years and the palace for more than a year, and so we’re really excited to have that as a showcase in the community,” said Tom Mulligan, superintendent of the Arcola School District.

Mulligan plans to retire at the end of the school year. This year, the festival honored him with a special title.

“To be asked to be the grand marshal of this amazing festival is quite an honor,” Mulligan said. “A guy in town did a sketch of me like a self-portrait, it’s really amazing you know, and some people said some kind words of me.”

Mayor Garza says the title is well deserved.

“He’s helping a lot with making more housing around Arcola, and we’re working together on all that stuff,” Garza said. “We’re going to miss him; he’s a great person.”