The 115th annual Potato Days will be celebrated under the banner of “Mr. McClure Goes to Hollywood,” referring to Thomas “Mack” McClure, the inventor of the Red McClure potato, and the 1949 Hollywood Western “Red Stallion in the Rockies,” which was filmed in this area.
When Hollywood came a-callin’
Potato Day festivities kick off on Thursday, Oct. 3, at 7pm at the Carbondale Library with a screening of “Red Stallion in the Rockies” in honor of the 75th anniversary of its filming in this literal neck of the woods.
The plot: A red stallion, once a circus trick horse, causes trouble, leading two ex-performers to protect him from angry ranchers. In a climactic scene, the stallion has a fight scene with an elk. The studio reported that the elk’s left antler was missing, so a plastic prosthetic was fashioned to replace it.
Upon its release, a syndicated film reviewer referred to the storyline as “thin and transparent that is off-set by the grandeur of the mountain scenery,” which was “well presented in cinecolor,” a less expensive two-color process compared to the more prevalently used technicolor processing.
The film will be screened in the 80-seat community room, and free popcorn will be available for filmgoers.
It started with a ‘do-si-do’
On Friday, Oct. 4 at 6pm, the Carbondale Recreation and Community Center hosts a “Good Old-Fashioned Barn Dance.”
Whether you love it or have never tried it, there’ll be contra dancing with music by the Wooden Nickel String Band, and Helle Hill calling, from 6 to 8:15pm. Then, Roaring Fork Valley-based funk, soul and reggae band, The Confluents, will perform from 9 to 11pm.
Carbondale’s Director of Parks and Recreation, Eric Brendlinger, said of the music offerings, “It’s a fun way to mix the old and new.”
The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for kids ages 12 and under. Doors open for food and libations at 5:30pm.
Pancakes, parades and potatoes
The Carbondale Rotary Club hosts a pancake breakfast Saturday, Oct. 5 from 8:30 to 10:30am at Chacos Park (4th and Main Street). Costs are $10 for pancakes and $15 for potato pancakes.
The “Tater Trot” 1-Mile Fun Run, hosted by Ross Montessori School, starts at 9am, with registration beginning at 8am at Chacos Park. Marty the Marmot will join participants who are encouraged to dress in potato or Hollywood costumes. Top runners win a sack of potatoes. More information is at www.rossmontessori.org
The Farmers’ Market runs from 9am to 3pm at Sopris Park, offering fresh produce, local artisan booths and cottage food. The ever-popular free cowboy coffee will be brewed in the historical copper cauldron. The Roaring Fork High School Boosters will sell cold drinks and desserts, while KDNK Community Access Radio will host its annual record sale with scads of vinyl for the discerning audiophile.
The Potato Day Parade begins at 10:30am. Entries will be judged on theme, originality and crowd appeal, with prizes awarded for best youth float and vintage tractor. The commercial category winner receives a traveling trophy. The parade starts at Second and Main Street, turning left onto 7th Street and ending at Sopris Park.
Business entries cost $40; youth, school and non-profit floats are free. Youth are encouraged to join in with decorated bikes and scooters. Bring your majestic horse or shiny tractor and strut your stuff in the parade — we’d love to have you join the fun. Applications are available at www.carbondalerec.com/event/potato-day
The deadline to apply for a float is Friday, Oct. 4 at 4pm.
The Spudtacular Spike Ball Tournament will be held at the Sopris Park volleyball courts from 11am to 2pm. Cost is $50 per two-person team. Pre-register at www.carbondalerec.com or by emailing wtempest@carbondaleco.net
A free-to-enter Largest Home-Grown Potato Contest will take place at 11am. Show off your biggest garden-grown tater by bringing it to the main stage, labeled with your name, number and email to earn bragging rights and a prize.
McClure makes his mark
McClure, who emigrated from County Donegal, Ireland, first worked as a miner in Leadville and later moved to the Catherine-Carbondale area.
After many grafting experiments, McClure developed his unique potato variety in the early 1900s, specifically bred for its adaptability to Colorado’s high altitude and arid growing conditions. The “Red” became popular for its disease resistance, high yield and excellent storage qualities, making it a favorite for potato growers in the region.
An Oct. 22, 1959, article in The Eagle Valley Enterprise titled “McClure Spuds Originated on West Slope” said of the Red McClure, “… A potato was developed which became popular because of its mealy whiteness inside its red jacket — of a size meeting the housewife’s fancy … This luscious spud, to gain nationwide recognition, first saw the light of day at Catherine, Colo., near the Eagle-Garfield county line, some years back.”
A bounty of local goodness
Kade Gianinetti, who is coordinating this year’s Potato Day feast, is excited to use locally sourced ingredients for the barbecue and baked potato lunch, which will be served from 11:15am to 1:30pm (or when food runs out).
The Nieslanik family provides the beef, while Gianinetti’s father, Mark, and other local farms supply the potatoes. Coleslaw is made with vegetables from several local farms, and the corn-on-the-cob is Olathe sweet corn. Baked beans will be prepared from scratch using organic local beans.
Additionally, the festival will, for the first time, offer alcohol, featuring local producers like Mountain Heart Brewing, Aquila Cellars and Woody Creek Distillery. A special age 21-and-up area will serve wine, beer and cocktails.
The meal costs $20 per adult and $15 for children under 12.
The Queen Bees (from 11:30am to 1pm) and Sweet Jessup and the Dirty Buckets (from 1:15 to 3pm) will perform live music at the gazebo. At 1pm, winners of the parade and largest potato contest will be announced, followed by traditional Potato Day kids’ games at the Carbondale Historical Society booth.
Sunday Funday
A youth gymkhana, organized by the Sopris Gymkhana Club, will be held on Sunday, Oct. 6, 10am to 2pm, at the rodeo grounds on County Road 100. Open to spectators and competitors of all ages, the event promotes good horsemanship and friendly competition. For details, email Sydney Linfossi at soprisgymkhanaclub@gmail.com
On Sunday, 11am to 2pm, join the “Party in the Pasture” at Coffman Ranch with the Aspen Valley Land Trust. Entry for adults is pay-what-you-can, and free for kids 12 and under. Enjoy food, live music and conservation-based activities. Tickets are available at www.AVLT.org
“Potato Day is about celebrating the harvest and recognizing the new generation of farmers and their contributions to the Roaring Fork Valley. [Much of] the event serves as a fundraiser for the Carbondale Historical Society, honoring the town’s agricultural heritage and its evolving future,” concluded Gianinetti.