WHAT ARE the marks of a fun and vibrant community? It’s both the community’s willingness and ability to gather together to celebrate just about anything and everything. You shouldn’t wait for a grandiose reason to assemble and play. Thankfully, the community of Decherd seems to feel the same way. Over 2,000 people made their way to downtown Decherd to hear live music, visit food trucks, participate in contests and cookoffs, and play games on April 2, 2022. Do you know for what reason? For potatoes! The Old Town Decherd Merchants Association and many other sponsors held the first ever Decherd Potato Festival this year.
While a festival celebrating potatoes may seem odd at first, there is more significance between the common root vegetable and Decherd. Like many towns in Middle Tennessee, Decherd partially owes its beginnings to the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, completed in 1851. Decherd was founded in 1853. Over the next few decades, Decherd became known as a shipping and processing point for many agricultural products. Most specifically, Decherd was known for its large potato houses filled with the brown root vegetable. In fact, in the 1930s and 1940s, sacked potatoes being shipped in railcards to larger markets or Northern states is what, in essence, put Decherd on the map. So celebrating potatoes is truly a creative way to celebrate our heritage here in Tennessee.
The event itself was well-attended despite being the festival’s first year. Those in attendance had plenty to do and eat, as multiple food truck vendors and sponsors lined the streets. Four different artists played live music throughout the day. There was an ongoing silent auction and door prizes as well as local vendors set up, offering those in attendance a place to purchase local artisan goods. An “Eye of the Potato” parade strolled through the streets at 11 a.m. and was immediately followed up by a Potato Cook-Off contest. Winners with the best sweet potato casserole and potato soup recipes went home with cash prizes.
The most popular part of the festival was an inviting Kids’ Zone nicknamed the Lil Spuds Zone. The zone was organized and sponsored by Highland Rim Habitat for Humanity, Nissan, and Zaxby’s of Manchester. At the festival, children had access to a mini petting zoo, a face painting station, a photo booth, a potato launcher, a potato toss game, and more! With the parent’s permission, each child left with handfuls of candy and a free toy. Terrie Quick, Highland Rim Habitat for Humanity president, shared, “We love kids and love making people happy. Running the kid’s zone was a blast. With COVID being over, it’s really nice to be able to be out in the community, in a safe area, and enjoy things for free.”
Next year’s festival is tentatively scheduled for April 1, 2023. -GN
