Long Island grew its reputation on potatoes long before it grew subdivisions, and this weekend a festival built around the crop sets up on the campus of Farmingdale State College. The Long Island Potato Festival runs Saturday, Nov. 7, from 1 to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 8, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2350 Route 110 in Farmingdale. Admission and parking are both free.

The Potato Mountain, and the 1937 festival behind it

The centerpiece is a pile of Long Island potatoes the organizers call Potato Mountain. It is a revival: according to the festival, the 1937 Riverhead Potato Festival built a mountain from more than 1,000 bushels of Long Island potatoes and invited visitors to take some home when it ended. The Farmingdale version keeps both halves of that idea.

Visitors can guess how many potatoes are in the pile for a chance at a $500 prize from Nassau Financial Federal Credit Union. Then, on Sunday at 5 p.m., the mountain comes down: anyone at the pile gets a free five-pound bag of Long Island potatoes while supplies last.

What to eat

Food is in the Alfresco Backyard Food Court, which the organizers say will carry dozens of potato dishes alongside standard festival food from food trucks. There is also a farmers market presented by Hoshyla Farms with fresh local produce, and a vendor showcase of local companies and seasonal goods.

Adults 21 and older can head to the ITP Beer Garden, run by Mulcahy's, which has cornhole and a view of the main stage.

For kids

  • Bounce Park: slides, obstacle courses, sports and themed inflatables. Passes are sold in advance at a discount; at the festival the price rises to $20.
  • Ninja Obstacle Course: run by No Limit Ninja, and free.
  • Tater Tot Lot: lawn games and activities for younger children, powered by Saf-T-Swim.
  • Potato Photo Booth: presented by Arrow Metal + eWaste Recycling.

Music

Live music and entertainment from local performers fill the Arrow Metal + eWaste Recycling Stage across both days.

Why Farmingdale State College

The festival is staged in partnership with Farmingdale State College, which teaches agriculture, horticulture, engineering and environmental science, and the organizers describe the event as a way to connect today's Long Islanders with the farming that shaped the Island.

The timing lines up with the last weekend of Long Island Restaurant Week, which runs through Sunday, Nov. 8, if the potatoes are an appetizer for a prix-fixe dinner nearby.

How to go

Long Island Potato Festival, Farmingdale State College, 2350 Route 110, Farmingdale. Saturday, Nov. 7, 1 to 6 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 8, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission and free parking. Bounce Park passes are cheaper bought ahead on the festival site. The free potato giveaway is Sunday at 5 p.m. at Potato Mountain, while supplies last. Questions go to [email protected].

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