Introduction
The Colfax Potato Festival is the biggest and best community event in the small town of Colfax, Washington. Over the years, this festival has grown to be one of the most popular festivals in western Washington state and draws large crowds from all over. The Colfax Potato Festival doesn’t just have potatoes—it’s a full-blown celebration of food. From delicious baked goods to savory main dishes, there are plenty of good eats for everyone! Oh yeah, did we mention there’s also a rodeo? That’s right!
History of the Colfax Potato Festival
The Colfax Potato Festival is a celebration of the area’s potato farming heritage. The festival was started in the 1950s by local residents who wanted to bring people together and share their appreciation for potatoes. Today, it’s held annually in June and features live music performances, carnival rides and games, arts & crafts exhibits–and plenty of delicious food!
The Colfax Potato Festival is a family-friendly event that draws thousands of visitors each year from all over Washington State (and beyond). There are always new things happening at this event so be sure to check back often!
The Festival Begins
The Festival Begins
The Colfax Potato Festival is held on the first Saturday in May. The festivities begin at 6:00 PM and continue until 10:00 PM, with live music from local bands, food vendors and an assortment of activities for visitors to enjoy. The festival is hosted by the City of Colfax and takes place at Colfax City Park (map). Admission is free!
Festival Activities
- Crafts
- Games, including a potato toss and pie eating contest
- Food, including kettle corn and potato-based dishes such as French fries, potato salad and potato soup
- Music from local bands such as the Bluegrass Bunch and the Rambling Tumblers Folk Band. The festival also features a beer garden where you can enjoy libations while listening to live music.
- Rides like the Ferris wheel and carousel bring in even more fun for kids of all ages!
Cooking & Eating Contests
The cooking and eating contests are the most popular of the festival. Contestants must prepare a potato dish that includes no more than 4 oz. of potatoes and be prepared by the contestant themselves. Entries should be original and creative, as well as tasty!
Judges will evaluate each entry based on presentation, taste and originality. If you think you have what it takes to win one of our top prizes ($100), enter today!
Other Fun Activities at the Potato Festival
In addition to the potato parade, there are many other activities for you and your family to enjoy at the festival. The kids will love playing games in the Kid’s Zone or getting their faces painted. There are also several rides that they can enjoy, including a kiddie train ride (ages 2-5), pony rides (ages 6+) and even an inflatable obstacle course!
For adults, there is something for everyone at this event. If you’re feeling competitive, try your hand at some potato bowling or test your skills at one of our many contests such as Miss Potato Pageant or Adult Potato Sack Race. Or if you’d rather just relax with friends over drinks from one of our beer gardens then we have that covered too! There’s even live music from local bands throughout Saturday night so be sure not miss out on any fun times while visiting Colfax during its annual Potato Festival.*
The Colfax Potato Festival is a family-friendly event that everyone can enjoy.
The Colfax Potato Festival is a family-friendly event that everyone can enjoy. There are many activities for kids to do, food vendors to buy from, games and rides for all ages, music and entertainment throughout the weekend. The festival takes place on Friday through Sunday in downtown Colfax!
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a fun day out with the family, then the Colfax Potato Festival is the right place. You can enjoy everything from cooking and eating contests to other fun activities like face painting and crafts. The event always attracts thousands of people who come from all over Washington State as well as Oregon and Idaho so there will be plenty of others there too!
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