Pocatello’s annual celebration of Idaho’s most famous crop is back this Saturday, with organizers anticipating the second-ever Pocatello Potato Festival will draw even more neighbors, families, and food lovers than the first.
The Museum of Clean and My World Discovery Museum are co-hosting the event at the parking lot area at 711 South 2nd Avenue, running from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Proceeds from the festival go directly to support both museums.
Free Fries, Baked Potatoes, and a Full Lineup
The Simplot fry team will be on hand handing out complimentary french fries, served alongside Wendy’s dipping sauces. Idaho Coffee Company is also scheduled to offer baked potatoes. Festivalgoers looking to stretch their dollar can pick up a Spud Cup — an aluminum reusable cup — for $8, which comes with a $1 discount on beer or soda throughout the evening.
The entertainment schedule covers the full five-hour event. Local act Drude’s Heathens and Saints opens the evening from 4 to 5:30 p.m., followed by The Pickpockets, a bluegrass band traveling from Salt Lake City, who take the stage from 6 to 9 p.m.
Beyond the food and music, Legacy Athletics will run organized games for kids, and Belnap Orthodontics is sponsoring a dunk tank — a sure draw for families with younger children looking for a way to cool off and have a laugh.
Organizers Expecting Larger Turnout Than Inaugural Event
Last year’s debut festival drew an estimated 4,000 people — a strong showing for a first-year community event. This year, organizers believe that number will climb by at least 1,000 more. Haley Van Dyke, speaking about the event’s appeal, said the combination of free food and outdoor fun makes it an easy choice for people looking for something to do this weekend.
“We just wanted to provide a fun, family-friendly event for the whole community to come and be together, and enjoy french fries and all the different activities and food and music,” Van Dyke told eastidahonews.com.
She added that the draw is straightforward: “I feel like free french fries and the live music, and just being outside is enough to get someone to come out and enjoy.”
It’s worth noting that both the Museum of Clean and My World Discovery Museum will be closed during the festival itself, so visitors should plan around the outdoor event schedule.
The Pocatello Potato Festival fits squarely into the kind of community-driven, locally-grown event that Southeast Idaho does well. With corporate sponsors like Simplot — a company whose roots are deeply tied to Idaho’s potato industry — and local businesses stepping up to participate, the event represents both a celebration of Idaho’s agricultural heritage and a genuine fundraising effort for two cultural institutions that serve the Pocatello area year-round.
For families looking for an affordable Saturday evening out, the math is simple: free french fries, live bluegrass music, kids’ games, and a dunk tank, all in a walkable downtown location. Pocatello’s growing calendar of community events — from park celebrations honoring local history to new local businesses adding life to the city’s neighborhoods — continues to reflect a community investing in itself.
What Comes Next
Saturday’s Pocatello Potato Festival runs from 4 to 9 p.m. at the parking lot near 711 South 2nd Avenue in downtown Pocatello. No admission details were provided, suggesting general access to the grounds is free, with individual food and merchandise items available for purchase. Residents are encouraged to arrive early to catch the opening musical performance and beat the crowd for free fries.