Potato Days
Held Annually Every August
Barnesville has always been known as one of the best potato producing areas in the country and is proud to celebrate the potato heritage with two days of “spud”tacular excitement.
A perfect weekend getaway, the entire family will enjoy bushels of activities from sunrise to sunset. The festival, originally dating back to the late 30’s, combines some of the more traditional fare with a new millennium twist. There’s something for everyone, from the nostalgic Potato Picking and Peeling Contests to the updated Miss Tator Tot Pageant and the specialized art of Mashed Potato Sculpturing.
Besides a wild assortment of potato-theme contests, games and displays on the slate, the Potato Days Festival also boasts an “a-pealing” menu of potato favorites. The Norwegian influence is evident in the “spud”riffic smorgasbord which includes lefse, potato dumplings, potato sausage, baked potatoes, and potato pancakes. In addition, participants are invited to display their culinary talents as part of the National Lefse Cookoff and Potato Cookoff Competition.
Rated as one of the best festivals in the country by US News and World Reports, the Barnesville Potato Days Festival truly captures small town American at its finest!
What particularly stands out in the eyes of visitors from across the country is the festival’s allegiance to its name sake…potatoes. Virtually everything you could possibly do to a potato is done over the two days…pick it, peel it, fry it, race it, bake it; but most of all enjoy it! One visit and we’re sure that you’ll agree, “It’s a smashing good time!”
For more information, check out their website http://www.potatodays.com