Tater Day

Tater Day is a large festival in Benton, Kentucky.

It was started in 1843 as a celebration of spring, and a time when all of the townsfolk would get together and trade in sweet potato slips, used to grow the plants.[1] It is also the oldest continuous trade day in the United States, in which goods such as guns, 'coon hounds, tobacco or livestock are swapped or sold.[2][3] Tater Day brings to town carnival rides, games, a market, a potato eating contest, mule pulls, and a "biggest potato" contest, which attracts large potatoes from across the county. The biggest part of the festival is the parade, which completes one circuit around the town. It includes political floats, Marshall County High School marching band, horses and buggies, clowns, vintage cars, horses, Miss Tater Day, and other things for which Marshall County is known. There is also Junior Miss Tater Day for little girls ages 5 to 12, and Little Mister, Tiny Miss, and Baby Miss Tater day pageants and floats for the younger kids. There is also an annual Tater day derby that is hosted at the dirt track at the Benton City Park.

References
  1. Fuller, Raymond G., "Recreation and child welfare," National Child Labor Committee, New York, 1919 Pamphlet 295, page 45. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
  2. Trawicky, Bernard, and Gregory, Ruth Wilhelme "Anniversaries and holidays" Fifth edition, Chicago : American Library Association, 2000. ISBN 978-0-8389-0695-8 . Retrieved March 22, 2010.
  3. "Kentuckians turn out for Tater Day," Daytona Beach MorningJournal, April 5, 1960 (AP wire service story). Retrieved March 22, 2010

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