Greetings, and welcome to the 88^th Annual Klamath Basin Potato Festival on October 18th. This is not just a festival, but a celebration deeply rooted in the history of Merrill, Oregon, that has entertained generations and preserved our local heritage.

The potato, a staple of dinner time, has been a fixture in this area for over 100 years. What used to be a single variety has now grown into many. Some are colorful, some blockish, some wonderful on the dinner table, while others are used in salads, as instant potatoes, or for chipping. The diversity of potatoes is fascinating, and we honor the humble potato in all its forms this weekend.

This year’s theme, “Spudtober Festival,” reflects our ongoing support of local growers, as well as our Grand Marshalls, the Liskey Family and Farm, which represents several generations of local agricultural stewardship. We encourage you to buy tickets from your favorite Potato Festival Princess, as most local High Schools have one, and prepare to wave at our Jr. Princesses as they ride on the float.

This festival begins with the crowning of a queen on October 11th, and the parade starts on Saturday, the 18th, at 11:00 a.m. down Front Street in Merrill; you must arrive early to secure a good spot. Then, linger a bit after it is over, and join us for a BBQ by the Lions featuring …a baked potato. Do not worry; there is always plenty to go around. Typically, we serve about a thousand hungry folks. There’s plenty to do and see, so make a day of it – join us on October 18^th. There will be music, fun, raffles, food, and all the ingredients for a pleasant family day.

We will see you there,

Barb Dehlinger

Merrill Lions Club President