SUNDERLAND — After a few years off, folks are invited to spend some time in Sunderland this weekend with the return of Smiarowski Farmstand and Creamy’s sixth annual Potato Festival.
Members of the public can stop by the farmstand at 320 River Road and enjoy the end of the potato harvest season with a baked potato bar and French fries, as well as an offering of Smiarowski’s traditional Polish dishes. The Potato Festival is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 5-Nov. 6.
Owner Teddy Smiarowski III said the Potato Festival is a chance for people to enjoy locally grown food while celebrating the end of the harvest season.
“It’s going to be a beautiful weekend. We want everyone to come out and enjoy the weekend and celebrate the harvest,” Smiarowski said. “Hopefully we’ll make some happy customers and some new customers who have never been to the stand.”
The Potato Festival began in 2014 and ran each year until the pandemic forced its cancellation in 2020. A lack of staff led to the farmstand not having the festival last year. Smiarowski said they organized the sixth annual event at the “last minute” after hearing requests to bring it back.
“All year they’ve been asking. We’re so busy on the farm we weren’t even thinking about doing it, but then all of a sudden people pulled together at the stand,” he said. “We want to have a good time and celebrate the end of the season and the harvest, and put a smile on everyone’s face.”
This year’s event brings back the classic family-friendly activities including games and pumpkin painting, while also introducing a small beer garden courtesy of Berkshire Brewing Co. On Sunday, Connecticut-based Cobblestone Road Band will play live country music from noon to 3 p.m.
“There’s going to be a lot of fun things,” Smiarowski said. “For the kids we always have games, pumpkin painting, and we bring in all our tractors and they can take pictures.”
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.