Spud Day

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UniqueShelley
DatesDates TBA · Usually SeptemberCheck locally before booking
DurationAutumnEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forUnusual spectacle, playful rulesSpud Day has served free baked potatoes to
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryUniqueFestival type
The story

Spud Day in Shelley

Every third Saturday of September, Shelley, Idaho hands out roughly 6,500 free baked potatoes at Spud Day, the original potato-harvest celebration that has run since 1927. A parade, potato-themed games, a tug-of-war called the Spud Tug, and an evening demolition derby round out a day built entirely around Idaho's signature crop.

Shelley, a small farming town on Idaho's Snake River Plain, held its first Spud Day in September 1927, at a moment when the region's potato harvest was already central to the local economy.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Spud Day has served free baked potatoes to the public since its first edition in September 1927, when 10,000 people showed up for hot potatoes with butter, a tradition that continues at a scale of roughly 6,500 potatoes handed out each year with all the fixings and no charge

02

The mystery stays covered

Billed as the original Spud Day celebration in Idaho, it has drawn national attention over the decades from Good Morning America, National Geographic Travel Magazine, and the New York Times

03

The city starts moving

The single-day event in Shelley City Park layers a kids' parade and a main parade with dozens of potato-themed games and contests, including a Spud Tug tug-of-war and a spud-picking contest, before closing with an evening demolition derby

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The free baked-potato feed

Water and renewal

Living ritual

handing out thousands of potatoes with butter and toppings at no charge

The sacred route

Living ritual

has been the event's defining tradition since its first 1927 edition and remains the reason the festival exists at all

The local code

Living ritual

The evening demolition derby has become an established closing tradition in its own right

Tradition 5

Living ritual

giving the day a family-friendly first half and a louder

Tradition 6

Living ritual

more raucous finish

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually September

Getting around

For Spud Day, plan transport around the exact Shelley venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual, comfortable clothing suits a mid-September day outdoors in Shelley City Park; a light layer helps for cooler evenings if you stay through the demolition derby.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Spud Day, stay near the part of Shelley you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map43.38 N, 112.12 WOpen in Google Maps

Shelley, ID

Nearest airportIDA — Idaho Falls Regional
TransportFor Spud Day, plan transport around the exact Shelley venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Spud Day, stay near the part of Shelley you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Shelley via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Shelley, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearCasual, comfortable clothing suits a mid-September day outdoors in Shelley City Park; a light layer helps for cooler evenings if you stay through the demolition derby.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Spud Day?

Spud Day is listed for September · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Spud Day take place?

The festival is listed in Shelley, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Shelley, ID

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLidahospudday.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually September
Source statusOfficial source linked
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