It’s that time again! Carbondale’s 117th annual Potato Days — themed “Get your Kicks on Root 66,” an ode to the 100th anniversary of the classic roadway, along with a potato pun, of course — runs through the weekend.
The festivities kick off with a screening of “Thelma and Louise,” a cult-classic based on two women’s evasion from the fuzz off of Route 66, at 7pm on Thursday, Oct. 1, at the Crystal Theatre. Then, First Friday will see a slew of events in Downtown Carbondale with potato-adjacent activities and entertainment.
As always, the bulk of the fun takes place on the first Saturday of October, falling on Oct. 3 this year. The Carbondale Rotary Club’s pancake breakfast, including a potato option, takes place at Chacos Park (4th and Main Street) from 8:30 to 10:30am. Registration also begins at 8:30am for Ross Montesori’s Tater Trot, setting out from Chacos Park as well. Farmers Market vendors will open for business around 9am in Sopris Park, when the famous Cowboy Coffee should also be ready, served hot from the cauldron.
The Potato Days Parade gets going on 2nd and Main Street at 10:30am, and awarded prizes will be doled out based on relevance with the Potato Days theme, originality, workmanship and crowd appeal, according to a press release. There’s sure to be a good turnout this year, with politicians and all.
The feast, sourced locally, will be served in Sopris Park at 11:15am sharp, until the food runs out. Folks have the option again this year to buy a “Pay it Forward” meal ticket in advance, used to donate meals to folks experiencing food insecurity, as well as farmers and first responders. To purchase a “Pay it Forward” meal ticket or to make a donation, visit tinyurl.com/PayitForwardPotato
For the second year in a row, proceeds raised during Potato Days through the Harvest Lunch, parade entry fees, etc., will be channeled to the Community Impact Fund, benefiting an organization that sees to the needs of local farmers. This year, that funding will go to Slow Money Western Slope, “a newly launched 0% interest revolving loan fund serving farmers and agricultural businesses on Colorado’s Western Slope,” according to a press release.
Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program DJs will spin tunes reminiscent of Route 66 starting at 11am in Sopris Park, followed by the Wooden Nickel String Band, along with caller Jon Unger, for the community contra dance at 1:15pm and Sweet Jessup and the Dirty Buckets closing out the day from 3:30 to 5pm.
On Sunday, 10am to 2pm, youngsters ride in the Youth Gymkhana at the Gus Darien Rodeo Grounds on Catherine Store Road (CR 100), organized by Sopris Gymkhana. While a bit tamed down from the Bareback Bonanza days, which included all ages and quirky events like the greased-pig contest, these young cowgirls and boys are sure to put on a heck of a show.
For a full list of events, flip to page 8 of this week’s Sopris Sun. To listen to an interview with Potato Days organizers Kat Hardy of the Western Mosaic Fund and Carbondale Parks and Rec Director Eric Brendlinger, visit kdnk.org/podcast/everything-under-the-sun
Have a groovy Potato Days, folks.