25th Annual Richford Potato Festival taking place on Saturday

There will be plenty of activity surrounding the Richford Historical Society’s Graded School on Saturday as they host the 25th Annual Richford Potato Festival. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with activities located at Routes 38 and 79 in Richford, N.Y. 

Activities will include an Introduction featuring Pass the Potato, hot potato, from 9 to 10 a.m. followed by a bird exhibit, the Cornell Raptors from 10 to 11 a.m. At 11 a.m., Dr. Walter De Jong of Cornell University will talk about potatoes and have samples on display.

There will be entertainment by Mike the Magician from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a mashed potato eating contest at 11:30 a.m. This contest will have categories for ages eight and under, youth nine to 12, and 13 years and older. The entry fee is $1. There will be free balloon animals by Cayuga Twister from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

From 1 to 2 p.m., the Potato Princess and Tater Tot Pageant, sponsored by Specialty Trophy and Award, will be open to youth ages three to 11. There is a $3 entry fee.

The potato salad contest will take place at 2 p.m. with a $1 entry fee, and from 2 to 3 p.m. the potato sack race, 3-legged race and potato relay will challenge festivalgoer’s. 

There will be all day activities at the Graded School to include the ringing of Lula’s old school bell for $1; there will be vendors, games, raffles, a Berkshire Library book sale, a coloring contest, historical displays, ice cream, cold beverages, and much more. There will also be a “Build A Craft” activity sponsored by Ithaca Home Depot. 

Activities at the Richford Congregational Church include potato soup, salt potatoes, potato salad and more being served from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will also be live music from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., vendors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and a quilt show taking place throughout the day. 

At the Northern Tioga Family Center, there will be a health fair with blood pressure checks and other health information from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Over at the fire department there will be a chicken barbecue from 8 a.m. to noon, a bathtub race at noon and a dunk tank all day long.

The Ladies Auxiliary will have their donuts at the Community Hall.