A spudtacular start: first annual potato festival in Outlook a hit

OUTLOOK — Potatoes were featured on menus, used in children’s art, highlighted by producers and brought the community together on a beautiful August day for the inaugural festival that celebrated spuds with food, music, family and fireworks.

It was a day for potato pride as a large crowd gathered at the Co-op Community Rink to salute the vegetable that is making this region the major potato producer in the province. Prior to the festival, Outlook CAO Kevin Trew remarked, “We know that people can see the growth in the rural area with the addition of more than one large business that is involved with potatoes.”

Saturday proved to be a chance not only to see where things currently stand but also to envision what the future could look like as businesses continue to grow. Inside the Rec Plex, the Outlook-Rudy Fireflies presented a Lil’ Spuds Zone, giving children fun activities to take part in. The chance to decorate a potato with markers, feathers, stickers and beads brought out the creativity in young ones as they personalized a potato to take home. Face painting and colouring were other options that put children in the potato spirit. A busy stop included meeting Beeper the Clown, who made balloon animals for the kids and then entertained with the “Spudtastic” magic show.

Outside, vendors and food trucks soon had lineups as the aroma of potatoes caused taste buds to tingle. A wide selection of dishes featuring potatoes were offered, sure to satisfy all appetites. Potato-themed offerings included speciality French fries, poutine, Afghan bolani, loaded baked potatoes, burgers served on potato buns, perogies, oven-roasted potatoes and lefse, a Norwegian favourite that sold out quickly.

As festival-goers enjoyed their dishes and visited with friends and neighbours, they were treated to the sights and sounds of talented performers, including singer Syrha Ellis, singers Kevin and Marg Harcourt, and dancers Mucho Flow Latino. The festival concluded with a fireworks extravaganza presented by the Town of Outlook.

Although it is difficult to estimate how many people attended, the numbers exceeded expectations. “We are overwhelmed with the response to the festival,” Trew stated. “While we don’t have an exact count, by the food sales we are thinking there was about 400 people in attendance. Frankly, our goal was 200 and we thought that might have been wishful thinking.”

Trew said the excitement for this, and other recent events in the community, demonstrates a desire for people to come together. “With the turnout for the Prairie Festival, Canada Day, the Outlook Riverbank Rodeo and now this, we take it as an indication that people really are looking for reasons to get together and be ‘community’,” he said. “This is something the town has been focused on supporting, whether it be festivals, sporting events or cultural celebrations.”

As with any community activity, it happened thanks to the efforts of those who put in their time and energy. Trew is grateful for those who made the potato festival a success. “I cannot say enough about the sponsors and all participants, whether they prepared food, entertained or organized activities.” He praised those who went above and beyond, including Team Outlook, the Community Development staff, who worked behind the scenes to handle details. “I can’t say enough about Team Outlook,” he shared. He also drew attention to the Outlook-Rudy Fireflies, who organized children’s activities. “The Lil’ Spuds Zone was not even on our radar when we started and they took the idea ‘Potato Festival’ and put an incredible spin on it.”

The festival came together so well that planning for next year has already begun. Northern Konstar Potatoes Ltd. has signed on for 2026 and organizers will be looking for the best date to hold the second Annual Potato Festival. What Trew would like to see is another organization step forward and team up to help. “Ideally,” he said, “a community group will take it on with the Town’s support but we are committed to facilitating it.”

Donna Smith, described by Trew as one of the community champions behind the festival, was thrilled with the response. “This is such a great turnout,” she said, “and this is just the beginning. I’m really hoping for more vendors next year.”

In addition to helping launch the festival, Smith was also with St. Andrew’s United Church, the group that made lefse for the event. About a dozen people were involved in making 240 rounds that sold out in about an hour. She said they had fun working together and preparing for the festival. In more than one capacity, she already has her eye on plans for next year. “We’re ripping and roaring to do it again.”