MONTE VISTA — Colorado Potatoes is once again partnering with San Luis Central Railroad and the San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad for the 2017 Potato Festival. Back by popular demand, there will be train tours and an in-depth bus tour!

The San Luis Central Railroad will be offering train rides during the Potato Festival on September 9, where participants can ride the train from Fullenwider Park past various potato fields and a potato packing shed around Monte Vista. The ride will take approximately one hour, and is completely free! Trains will depart from Fullenwider Park at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Please note that this is a separate location from the Potato Festival, which is being held at Chapman Park. However, there will be a tractor-drawn wagon going from Chapman Park to Fullenwider Park before the rides depart, courtesy of the Antique Iron Club.   

This will not be a typical train ride-passengers of this train are in for a big treat! Thomas Tancula of the San Luis Central Railroad will provide thrilling narration during the journey and walk passengers through the history of the surrounding area. He will tell passengers about the long and rich history between the railroad and agricultural industry in the San Luis Valley. For instance, while the San Luis Central Railroad may transport many Colorado potatoes today, it was founded in 1913 to haul sugar beets.

Spots on the train are limited, but those wishing to reserve a spot can contact Colorado Potatoes at (719) 852-3322 or email [email protected].  

There is another exciting opportunity available at the Potato Festival to those who want a more in-depth look at the potato industry. The annual bus tour will be departing from Chapman Park in Monte Vista at 8 a.m. and returning at 11 a.m. Hosted by the Executive Director of Colorado Potatoes Jim Ehrlich, this tour will visit a local grower’s field and the San Luis Valley Research Center. Passengers will get to talk directly with growers and researchers, and get to see firsthand how potatoes are grown in the San Luis Valley. This tour is free of charge as well, but spots are limited. Those interested should contact Colorado Potatoes to reserve a space.   

After the tour, passengers can stay for the 2017 San Luis Valley Potato Festival at Chapman Park in Monte Vista, and all the other fun activities it has to offer. All day at Chapman Park there will be field tours, kids games, the famous mashed potato dunk tank, a rock climbing wall, a quad-trampoline jumper, bouncy houses, and a trampoline quad jumper. There will also be food and craft vendors, games for the family, live animals, an antique tractor display with homemade ice cream, a truck and semi show and much, much more! That evening, as an added feature, there will be a concert featuring country music rising star Brooke Eden!

This will be at the Ski-Hi Park Arena, and tickets can be purchased at ColoradoPotatoes.Eventbrite.com.