Aroostook’s famous potato blossom festival begins this weekend

July 11, 2024

As potato plants bloom in Aroostook County, the town of Fort Fairfield prepares to welcome thousands to the annual Maine Potato Blossom Festival.

A week of events from Saturday 13 July to Sunday 21 July celebrates the county’s agricultural heritage.

Hosted by Fort Fairfield since 1947, the event is one of Maine’s oldest festivals, attracting people from across the state and beyond. For Aroostook County, where 90 percent of Maine’s potato crop is grown, it’s an opportunity to celebrate all things potato.

The festival also provides an important economic boost as visitors shop at local merchants.

“Thousands of people come, and we see it in the grocery stores and gas stations, hotels and restaurants,” said City Manager Tim Goff. “It’s one of those standout events in the county.”

Before becoming city manager, Goff directed the festival for three years. The annual parade, scheduled for Saturday, July 20, is still one of the largest parades north of Bangor, he said.

Festival director Cheryl Boulier and a team of around 125 volunteers are busy making the final preparations.

“The festival means a lot to the community and to Aroostook County because it draws a lot of people,” Boulier said. “It’s a tourist destination. And it’s an opportunity to show people the potato flowers that are blooming early this year.”

There will be nearly 60 events in many categories, from sports to class reunions, family events to parades, food and music – and of course, potato-focused activities.

For kids, there will be potato decorating, a potato picking contest and a Spuddy Buddy Challenge for ages 6 to 12, featuring the Maine Potato Board’s mascot, Spuddy.

The Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce will host its sixth annual barbecue contest. Artists will have a potato painting booth and the Wintergreen Arts Center will host an agriculture-themed paint and sip class for adults.

And to the delight of the organizers, there is mashed potato wrestling again – and a few of the city’s leading minds are looking for interested parties.

“We’re hoping more adults will get involved, so Fire Chief Mike Jalbert and I have thrown our hats in the ring,” Goff said. “We’re hoping there are some people out there who want to knock us over with mashed potatoes.”

For years, wrestling was a crowd favorite but was put on hold due to COVID precautions, said festival chairwoman Cheryl Boulier. This year, it’s back on the schedule for the first time.

A local processing company has donated potato flakes, a byproduct of its operation, which are used to make the wrestling mix, she said. The event is designed to raise funds for the Fort Fairfield Fire and Rescue Department.

There will be a townwide flea market, animal show, class reunions, quilt show, horse show, booths and meals to benefit local groups. The annual Maine Potato Blossom Pageant crowns the Maine Potato Blossom Queen, Little Miss and Junior Miss.

Sporting events include basketball, a golf tournament, cornhole, horseshoes, softball, a swimming meet, a cycling rodeo and a road race.

Concerts by local bands and bands with local roots include Good Ole Boys and Girls, Adam Ouellette, Wednesday Evening Fiddlers, No Pressure, Star City Syndicate, French Toast and Fort Fairfield native Ben Kilcollins.

A popular event from last year is making a comeback as the Reynolds sisters, Patty and Lynn, will once again lead morning walks around the city, starting at 7am from the recreation centre.

This year, Boulier said, the theme is the history of Fort Fairfield. Each walk will include stops related to the city in wartime and peacetime, as well as looking to the future.

A crew from the television show “MaineLife” will be there this year and will film a segment, she said. She is pleased with the interest, as the festival has attracted people from the West Coast and even Australia. Some residents have moved to the city after attending the festival, she said.

This year will be Boulier’s last time organizing the festival and she hopes someone will step in to continue the tradition.

“It started out as a celebration of agriculture and we still try to put that at the forefront,” she said. “It has stood the test of time. It’s been around for about 77 years.”

For more information, visit the Maine Potato Blossom Festival website or Facebook page.