Potato Festival celebrates harvest

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Photo contributed and by Marie Mccolm The Potato Festival was at Chapman Park on Saturday, Sept. 11, with many booths, games, fun-filled rides for the children, and local farmers in attendance.

MONTE VISTA — The Potato Festival was at Chapman Park on Saturday, Sept. 11, with many booths, games, fun-filled rides for the children, and local farmers in attendance.

The annual festival is an opportunity for residents, farmers, workers, and community members to celebrate the local potato harvest.

Local farmer Ben Martinez said it has been a good year for potatoes.

“Our crops have done well, and we are excited about the event, and excited about the harvest,” Martinez said.

Chef Jason Morse hosted a potato barbecue class on Friday at Chapman Park.

Saturday morning a 5K Tater Trot was held at the park, with many potato obstacles included in the trot, making it fun for everyone involved. An agricultural tour followed the trot.

Residents could be seen all over the park enjoying the views of the many tractors and large farm machinery on display at the park, along with semi-trucks and large harvesters.

Children were running from one bouncy house to the next and enjoying the tiny train that traveled around the park. A giant quad jumper was also at the event.

“This is a really great event,” said Christina Lopez, a resident of Monte Vista. “Every year I really enjoy bringing my children to this event. Colorado is all about potatoes. I have some family members that work in agriculture and have worked in agriculture a lot of their lives, this gives us a chance to really celebrate what our community grows and what we thrive on. My kids enjoy this event because of all of the food and rides, and I enjoy the event because it makes me feel proud to live in Colorado and be a part of it all.”

There were many food booths at the festival, that included baked potatoes and food made from potatoes, along with various candy and home-baked goods.

Brenna Rivale, manager of the Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce, was at the festival. Rivale was selling raffle tickets at the Chamber’s booth. Proceeds from the raffle will go to the new Ski-Hi building.

“Tom Lockhart painted the crane for us that we are raffling, and the drawing will be held for the painting, at the grand opening of the Ski-Hi complex.”

The Potato Festival concluded with a motorsport aerial freestyle show by “Octane Addictions” at the Ski-Hi Park Arena on Saturday night.


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