Potato Cookoff to Feature Potato Salad

The annual Potato Cook-Off will be held on Friday, August 25 at 5:00 pm. This year's category is potato salad (what would summer be without it?) This event is for everyone! Each year the competition seems to get tighter and the entries tastier. Cooks of all ages are welcome to participate, or simply come out to see, taste, and judge the best potato salad recipes on earth!

The rules are simple. Prepare your best potato salad recipe -- it can be hot or cold, but white potatoes (not sweet potatoes) must be the main ingredient – and bring it to Hildebrand Hall by 5:00 pm. A panel of three celebrity judges will select the winners, who will receive prizes of Barnesville Bucks - $75 for first, $50 for second, and $25 for third. There is also a special prize for the People’s Choice Award, selected by the audience, so bring a big enough batch for the tasting! In addition to “bragging rights,” the winners will be invited to ride in the spectacular Potato Days Parade on Saturday. Recipes will be included in next year’s potato recipe packet souvenir.

Never entered? Give it a try! Past winners have come from all age groups; and yes, even men have claimed the top prize. Contestants should register by Wednesday, August 23rd. There is a $5.00 entry fee and every contestant will receive a Potato Days souvenir. Entries are limited to one recipe per person. Please contact Jeff Koppenhaver at (218) 493-4301 for more information, or mail your name, address, and phone number along with the entry fee and a copy of your recipe to: Jeff Koppenhaver, 16110 210th St., Barnesville, Minn. 56514.

A large audience turn out is expected, and encouraged, so please plan to join us for the fun. In addition to tasting the wonderful recipes, there will be some fun potato trivia, door prizes, and you will have an opportunity to meet this year’s contestants and ask them for their “secrets.” beat the heat and stop in air-conditioned Hildebrand Hall for this festival favorite. Doors open at 4:30 pm.