Ebensburg's 32nd annual potato fest remains unaffected by reported potato shortage

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WJAC) — The 32nd annual Potato Fest takes place this weekend in Ebensburg.

This, even as reports show a shortage on potatoes.

6 News spoke with an official behind the potato fest and a local potato farmer about this - they say were not seeing much of a potato shortage locally and so the Potato Fest in Ebensburg will go on like it has in years past.

“This weekend, on Saturday in Ebensburg is our annual Potato Fest,” said Danea Koss, a Community Development Director.

Koss is one of the officials behind Ebensburg's 32nd annual Potato Fest. She says it is one of the biggest events of the year with something for all ages while showcasing potatoes from local farmers.

“That’s kind of how this event started was kind of a way to celebrate our local potato farmers,” Koss added.

“It’s wonderful that there’s a event that’s putting potatoes in the spotlight,” said Greta Stahl, Co-owner of Stahls’ Potato Farm.

Stahl says despite online reports showing a potato shortage, that’s not the case for them.

“We started out with the driest may that we can ever remember," said Stahl. "So, that concerned us a little bit getting the potatoes started. They seem to be yielding really well for us. All the varieties we grow have been coming in with pretty good yields and their nice size this year. Were about halfway done without crop so it's kind of hard to determine yield until you get a little more of your crop harvested.”

And that’s a similar story for many potato farmers in the area. Koss says they have many vendors signed up for the event.

“It doesn’t seem to have affected our, you know our local vendors that come up and prepare. You know we got lots of people who are coming doing of course French fries, pierogi, halushki, potato pizza, potato breads, potato candy that sort of thing. So, they have all signed up to be here this year so hopefully our area hasn’t been too affected by that,” Koss said. “It just going to be a great day, beautiful fall scenery in Ebensburg.”

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