Eagle, Idaho – Long time supporter of the Idaho Falls Chukars, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) hit a home run celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Minor League Baseball team. For one night, the club reverted back to its original name, the Idaho Falls Russets, and fans had no doubt they were in the rich corner of Southeast Idaho where nearly one-third of all potatoes in the country are grown.
- The “Russets” sported jerseys featuring a steaming baked potato, styled after the team’s 1939 jerseys.
- Spuddy Buddy, the IPC’s popular mascot, threw the first potato.
- Anticipating the potato-themed evening would whet appetites, the concession stands were loaded with mouth-watering spud dishes like Idaho Nachos (made with Idaho® potato chips instead of tortilla chips), Totchos, a baked potato bar and fresh cut fries.
- The Big Idaho® Potato Truck was parked at the stadium entrance with its signature board supporting the Idaho Falls Community Food Basket.
- The first 1,000 fans entering the stadium received a free t-shirt featuring Spuddy Buddy leaning against the “Grown in Idaho®” seal, holding a baseball bat.
“This throwback night was the perfect event to celebrate the 2019 Idaho® potato harvest, kickoff the IPC’s new fiscal year and recognize National Potato Month,” said Frank Muir, President and CEO, IPC. “There are 30,000 people employed by the Idaho® potato industry who help grow, ship and process approximately 13 billion pounds of potatoes. We applaud each and every one of them.”
During the game IPC messaging was abundant. Fans were treated to the new television commercial featuring Farmer Mark and his never-ending quest for the Big Idaho® Potato Truck, the announcer shared fun and interesting facts about Idaho® potatoes and Spuddy Buddy, as usual, hammed it up for the crowd.
To rally excitement for the event, the IPC ran a pregame social media campaign and donated 150 tickets to the Idaho Falls VA Clinic.
The Big Idaho® Potato Truck will be back in Idaho Falls in October for a Harvest Tour visiting farms, fields, sheds and processing plants. Visit idahopotato.com for schedule information.
About the Idaho Potato Commission
Established in 1937, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is a state agency that is responsible for promoting and protecting the famous “Grown in Idaho®” seal, a federally registered trademark that assures consumers they are purchasing genuine, top-quality Idaho® potatoes. Idaho’s growing season of warm days and cool nights, ample mountain-fed irrigation and rich volcanic soil, give Idaho® potatoes their unique texture, taste and dependable performance. These ideal growing conditions are what differentiate Idaho® potatoes from potatoes grown in other states. For more information, visit www.idahopotato.com.
