Barnesville Potato Days

From Barnesville Potato Days Website:

Just think, it all started with a potato.

Old fashioned fun awaits in Barnesville, Minnesota as the lowly spud takes center stage for the annual Potato Days Festival. Touted as one of the best potato producing areas in the country, Barnesville is proud to celebrate their 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-ppealing" 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 America at its finest!

Relax as you take in the Horse Drawn Historic Wagon Tour, keep your "eyes peeled" for the Hidden Golden Potato, marvel at the Sewing and Stacking competition and take in the huge Potato Days Parade featured on Saturday evening.

Visitors are sure to do a double take at the cleverly designed potato sack outfits while they browse through the street fair or enjoy the wide variety of stage entertainment.

Kids find non-stop fun as they try their hand at the all time favorite Potato Scramble. Tator enthusiasts of all ages are entertained with events such as the Potato Car Races and potato sculpture contest. Have fun and test your skill with the Dunk Tank, and inflatables. Everyone enjoys a look at the antique potato equipment.

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, toss 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!