BENTON – Spring is in the air and the sights and sounds of the 172nd annual Tater Day festival have begun to emerge.
Locals have been flocking to the vendor booths parked along Main Street to get an early sampling of their favorite carnival food fare – from corn dogs and funnel cakes to the highly coveted deep-fried Twinkies.
But the sinful food selections are just a small portion of the annual event that draws thousands to the city each year. While the annual Tater Day pageant kicked off the week’s events this past Saturday, (see winners below), several more events are scheduled beginning this Friday.
Carnival Rides
Casey’s Carnival Rides open in Benton’s HH Lovett Park at 5 p.m. Friday April 3, and will be open until 10 p.m.
Armbands allow for unlimited rides at a cost of $18 and will only be available Friday night and all day Sunday. Saturday and Monday rides are by ticket only.
Mud Bogs, Demolition Derby
Friday night you can also enjoy a concert in the park featuring Kalib Swift and Josh Tubbs as well as a little muddy fun as the highly anticipated Mud Bogs roll through.
Pit gates open at 5 p.m.
The registration fee is just $20 for those wishing to participate and the gate fee for spectators is just $10. Classes will be determined by engine size and all riders must wear a helmet.
Tater Trot
CFSB’s 30th Annual Tater Trot 5K and 1 mile fun run/walk will take place a Mike Miller Park on Saturday, April 4th.
Registration is from 7:45 – 8:30 am. 5K starts at 9 am followed by 1 mile fun run/walk at 9:30 am.
For more information contact Chris Kerrick at 270-527-1453 or chris.kerrick@marshall.kyschools.us
Demolition Derby
Saturday night the demolition derby comes to town. Pit gates open at 3 p.m. and spectator gates open at 5 p.m. Admission is just $10 and the show is set to begin at 7 p.m.
Tater Day Festivities
Then on Monday, April 6, start the morning out right with a breakfast of champions at the annual Benton Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast, held at Benton Elementary School, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Cost is just $4 per person and goes to help a great cause in the community.
The Tater Day Parade rolls through later that morning at 11 a.m. with this year’s theme ‘Remember our Troops.’ This year’s Grand Marshal is Doctor Robert McCrory, local veterinarian and long-time member of the Benton Kiwanis Club.
Line-up will be on 5th street (5th Street will be blocked at 10 a.m.) and the parade is set to run east on 5th to Main Street, then south on Main to City Park, North on Poplar and back to 5th. The street will be blocked at 10 a.m.
Tater Day Pageant Winners:
Baby Miss Tater Day (Girls 0-18 mo)
Winner – Annibelle Chilton 1st Runner Up – Melina Keller 2nd Runner Up – Audrey Renard
Tiny Miss Tater Day (Girls 19-35 mo)
Winner – Avery Russell 1st Runner Up – Rylie Reed 2nd Runner Up – Sydney Keller
Little Mister Tater Day (Boys 0-35 mo)
Winner – Paxton Gipson1st Runner Up – Jace Jones 2nd Runner Up – Peyton Gipson
Little Miss Tater Day (Girls 3-4 years)
Winner – Brindley Powell 1st Runner Up – Breelyn Cox 2nd Runner Up – Leyliandra Cissell
Young Miss Tater Day (Girls 5-7)
Winner – Lily Davis 1st Runner Up – Baylee Sullivan 2nd Runner Up – Braelyn Spalding
Jr. Miss Tater Day (Girls 8-10)
Winner – Cayde Short 1st Runner Up – Jillian Collins 2nd Runner Up – Brittany Beale
Teen Miss Tater Day (Girls 11-13)
Winner – Samone Cavitt1st Runner Up – Kate Keller 2nd Runner Up – Haley Swift
Miss Tater Day
Winner – Madison Vaughn 1st Runner Up – Emilye Hurt 2nd Runner Up – Leah Story
Miss Congeniality – Emilye Hurt