Potatoes have been feeding Idaho pride for generations. But never like this. Potato Days 2025, presented by Idaho Farm Bureau, officially cooked up more baked potatoes, fries, tots, and potato tornadoes than any other Idaho event on record. Held at Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park in Meridian this September, the two-day celebration of the state’s signature crop drew tens of thousands of fans hungry for everything Idaho has to offer — especially spuds.
The numbers tell the story: Potato Days 2025 served 5,285 baked potatoes, 2,648 orders of French fries, 1,522 trays of tater tots, 2,601 potato tornadoes, and 6,342 beverages including root beer floats, lemon shake-ups, and Coke products. By the time the final batch rolled out of the kitchen, Potato Days 2025 had cemented itself as the undisputed heavyweight champion of serving loaded spuds.
A massive part of that success came from the kitchen. Executive Chef Casey Grime — formerly the regional operations specialist for R&R BBQ — led a team of 15 front-of-house staff and 15 back-of-house kitchen staff who worked around the clock to keep the ovens loaded and the fryers roaring. Their precision and hustle made it possible to serve more potatoes than any Idaho event has ever attempted.
Adding to the excitement, festivalgoers were treated to special appearances from Spuddy Buddy, Idaho’s beloved potato mascot, and the surprise Sunday arrival of the Big Idaho Potato Truck, which rolled into the park to the delight of kids and adults alike.
“This wasn’t just an event — it was a movement,” said organizers. “We wanted to create a showcase for the potato unlike anything seen before, and Idahoans responded in record-breaking fashion,” said event organizer Thomas Watson.
From live music and family games to chalk art and the Great Potato Race, the weekend pulsed with energy. But at the heart of it all were the spuds. Vendors, volunteers, and Chef Grime’s team proved once again why Idaho is known worldwide for its potatoes.
Looking ahead, Potato Days 2026 will raise the stakes with the debut of Potato Waffles n’ Chicken — a crispy, golden twist sure to become an event staple.
With this milestone in the books, Potato Days has set the bar sky-high for 2026. Bigger crowds. Bigger acts. And, yes, even more potatoes.
