Small Montana Town Celebrates Its Favorite Vegetable In A Big Way
Montana is a great state when it comes to agriculture. It's full of farm fields that grow a variety of different types of produce.
One of the things that Montana is known for is the vast wheat fields that span the state. In fact, Montana ranks 3rd out of all 50 states for wheat production.
Wheat isn't the only thing that's grown in Montana. The state is also the leading producer of seed potatoes, typically used for french fries. Barley, hay, and sugar beets are also some of Montana's top exports.
In Manhattan, Montana, potato farming is a way of life for many people. There are several large potato fields in the area, and many of the potatoes grown there are used in restaurants throughout the area. Manhattan has a long history of farming potatoes and every year, the Manhattan Potato Festival celebrates this beloved vegetable.
The Manhattan Potato Festival is happening on Saturday, August 20. Here's some history of the festival from the Manhattan Area Chamber:
With the slump of the early 1970’s, the Chamber of Commerce disappeared, but by 1984, Manhattan was growing again with a newspaper report indicating “1985 was looking brighter for Manhattan.” At that time, Manhattan was a little over 988 residents, and ready for a centennial celebration. The centennial celebration helped ignite the town again, which led to Manhattan Days, eventually morphing into the Potato Festival in 1987.
Here's the itinerary for the Manhattan Potato Festival on Saturday:
- 6:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. — Fireman's Breakfast (Get there early if you want to beat the crowds)
- 7:30 a.m. —Jim Oriet 5K Color Run
- 11:00 a.m. — Manhattan Potato Festival Parade
- 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. — Arts, crafts & food vendors at Railroad Park
- 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. — Activities for kids at Altenbrand Park
For more information about the Manhattan Potato Festival, click here.
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