Spud fun planned

Planning is well underway for the return of the Thorpdale Potato Festival next month.

After a break of many years, the festival returned two years ago when a group of Thorpdale residents decided to bring back the festival that celebrated the town’s local farming industry.

The 2015 festival was a huge success and will return on Sunday, March 12 at the Thorpdale Recreation Reserve.

All age groups are covered at the festival. For the active, there will be sack races, a jumping castle, potato decorating and potato and spoon races (children’s activities are free). There is also a petting zoo for the children.

The Spud Challenge is a sight to see and there is potato picking and stacking for the hale, healthy and brawny. The Tug-of-War is back again and guarantees some thrills and spills.

‘Hessians on the Field’ attracted a huge amount of interest in 2015 so it’s back and the photography competition will continue to bring out the artistic talents of entrants.

For more domesticated activities, there is much to offer in the way of potatoes – team mash eating competition, cooking demonstrations and tastings as well as spuds for sale.

For just all-round entertainment, there will be dancing displays, vintage tractors, machinery and cars, the quick shear competition, sheep dog trials and wood chop as well as lots of music.