The small town of Barnesville, Minnesota, typically calm and quiet, transforms into a bustling hub of excitement and activity every year for the annual Potato Days Festival. The focal point of this two-day celebration is the humble potato, an essential crop in the agricultural-rich region of Barnesville. This annual event celebrates the town’s rich potato heritage and offers a wide range of activities and attractions for the whole family to enjoy. From potato-themed contests and games to delicious food and live entertainment, Potato Days has something for everyone.
The Potato Days Festival, a beloved tradition dating back to 1931, was initially conceived as a harvest festival. The area, known for its rich potato yield, saw the event as a way to celebrate the successful harvesting of their main crop. After a hiatus between 1957 and 1991, the festival was revived, bringing back many traditional events and contests. Including:
- Miss Tator Tot Pageant
- Antique Equipment Display
- National Lefse Cookoff
- Golden Potato Scavenger Hunt
- Potato Picking Contest
- Street Fair and Merchandise Booths
- Potato Peeling Contest
- Sewing/Stacking Contest
- Kids Games
- Potato Scramble
- Car Show
- Strong Man Competition
- 5k Run
- Food, Glorious Food!!
- And JAMS
