OUTLOOK — The second annual Northern Konstar Potato Festival, combined with Canada Day celebrations, will take place July 1 to 4 in the Town of Outlook.
Megan Anthony, director of community development for the town of Outlook, said preparations are well underway.
“We are hosting our second annual Northern Konstar Potato Festival. This year we are combining Canada Day with the potato festival, and we have events planned from July 1 to 4,” Anthony said.
Canada Day activities on July 1 will follow the community’s regular schedule, including a pancake breakfast, parade, kids’ zone, car show and bingo. New additions this year include a slow tractor race and heritage demonstrations.
The day will also feature cupcakes with council, free swimming, beer gardens, supper and entertainment at the Jim Kook RecPlex.
Fireworks are scheduled for 10 p.m. on July 1 at the Jim Kook RecPlex.
Events continue July 2 to 4, including swimming activities at the Van Raay Community Swimming Pool. A reptile show is planned for July 2, while July 3 will feature a kids’ zone, beer gardens, a barbecue, outdoor games and a DJ.
“We hosted the reptile show a couple of years ago and had about 150 attend, and we hope to see similar numbers this year,” Anthony said.
An irrigation water Olympics event will also take place at the pool on July 2.
The main potato festival events are scheduled for July 4. Activities include a potato-themed story time at the Outlook Community Library and a storybook trail through the regional park walking trails. Families can pick up a craft kit from the library before heading out on the trail.
There will also be a potato dish competition featuring local organizations.
“Residents can come out, buy their lunch and help choose the winner,” Anthony said.
Additional activities on July 4 include public swimming, beer gardens, food vendors, outdoor games and live entertainment from 4 p.m. until 2 a.m.
Family-friendly events will include potato sack races, a potato toss, a “Little Spuds” carnival and a magic show.
“We’ll also have potato spoon races, similar to the traditional egg-on-a-spoon race,” Anthony said.
The town of Outlook will prepare a potato salad but will not compete in the contest.
“We want our local organizations to benefit more,” Anthony said with a laugh.
Anthony noted the event is sponsored by Northern Konstar, along with several local businesses.
“We are very grateful to the local businesses that continue to support our organizations and community events,” she said.
The potato festival was held in August last year but has now been moved to coincide with Canada Day celebrations.
When asked about her favourite part of the event, Anthony said seeing the community come together is most rewarding.
“We do so much planning, and I love to step back and watch people enjoying the day and the activities we’ve put on. That makes the job worth it,” she said.
For more information, visit the Town of Outlook – Irrigation Capital of Saskatchewan
