Potato Festival

Good Times and Plenty of ‘taters to be Had at the

NC Potato Festival, May 15-17 in Elizabeth City, N.C.

(Elizabeth City, N.C., May 7, 2015) – Celebrating one of northeast North Carolina’s largest crops, the N.C. Potato Festival, May 15-17 in Elizabeth City, N.C., is a spud-tacular good time, from the rip-roaring Midway rides to live music, tasty foods and the “Little Miss Tater Tot” pageant.

            Presented by Elizabeth City Downtown, Inc., this year’s festival celebrates the 75^th anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard’s presence in Elizabeth City, as well as the city’s designation as a “Coast Guard City.” Event planners are featuring a rescue swimmer as the festival’s mascot, tours of the CGC KENNEBEC and a U.S. Coast Guard 7.5k Fun Run/Walk, May 16 at 8 a.m. at Charles Creek Park.

Over the festival weekend, visitors can view the results of a U.S. Coast Guard-themed art contest at the Museum of the Albemarle (on display through May 29). The exhibit features works by Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County public school students, and winners will be announced and prizes presented on May 16 at 12 p.m. on the festival’s Mariners’ Wharf stage.

Don’t forget the ‘taters!

According to the N.C. Potato Association, headquartered in Elizabeth City, North Carolina potato growers produce approximately 16,000 acres of potatoes, grown mostly in the fertile soils surrounding the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds. The festival, now in its 14^th year, began as a celebration of the favored local crop and the farmers who grow them.

That means you’ll find plenty of spuds at the event. In addition to nibbling on home-cooked fries, festival-goers can sample the results of the "Anything But Fries" restaurant cook-off, watch the National Potato Peeling Contest competitors peel through bushels of spuds, cheer on the "Little Miss Tater Tot Pageant" contestants and shop and dine among arts, crafts and food vendors lining the Main Street thoroughfare.

Musical headliners include Out ‘N the Cold, Friday at 8:30 p.m.; Apache Relay, Saturday at 5:15 p.m.; and The Breakfast Club, an 80s tribute band, for the Saturday night street dance at 8 p.m. 

For first-time festival attendees, long-time volunteer Cindy Williams recommends checking out the potato peeling competition May 16 at 10 a.m. and watching the U.S. Coast Guard search-and-rescue demonstration that afternoon at 1 p.m. on the Pasquotank River. New this year, and fun for the kids, are a petting zoo and camel rides.

“This is truly a family-friendly event,” said Williams. “I’ve had residents tell me they have family members living out of the area who plan their trips back to Elizabeth City over the festival weekend. It’s a really good time!” 

The kick-off party is the evening of May 15, and festival runs May 16 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and May 17 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and Perry Auto Group are the premier festival sponsors. For more information and a complete lineup of live entertainment check the festival’s Facebook page or visit www.ncpotatofestival.com.

Elizabeth City is the “Harbor of Hospitality®”

Elizabeth City is located in northeastern North Carolina on the Intracoastal Waterway, halfway between Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks. Known as the “Harbor of Hospitality,” the city has six National Register Historic Districts and is home to the Museum of the Albemarle, The Center at Arts of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City State University Planetarium, Port Discover Hands-on Science Center and one of the largest U.S. Coast Guard air stations in the Continental United States. Nature-based travelers are drawn to the area’s proximity to the Dismal Swamp and the abundance of outdoor recreational offerings. For additional information, call Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-866-ECity-4U (1-866-324-8948) or visitDiscoverElizabethCity.com.