Mantua – In spite of the soggy weather courtesy of Tropical Storm Gordon, the 45th annual Potato Festival still attracted lots of attention in Mantua this weekend. Once again, the Festival was the location of another attempt to create a world-record pierogi, just like last year. In 2017, the first-ever local attempt successfully saw the creation of a whopping 200-pound pierogi. Unfortunately, that record was broken less than two weeks later when a team of students and instructors at in Tri-C’s Hospitality Management program created one that was 15 and a half pounds larger. This year, the Mantua team’s potato filled offering tipped the scale and an impressive 269-pounds, thereby once-again claiming a new world record.
Jennifer Bijak-Hirsch, Food Service Director and Crestwood Local Schools marveled, “We did it again!” The team, which also included the owners of Mantua’s Jake’s Eats in addition to staff from Crestwood’s Food Service team made the Worlds Largest Pierogi, as declared by Portage County Auditor Janet Esposito. Bijak-Hirsch explained that everything was prepared on the festival grounds, from washing, dicing, and cooking the potatoes, to mixing the dough to boiling the massive pierogi. “I’m so proud of this community event and the teamwork displayed!” she marveled. After the official weigh-in, the impressive pierogi was shared among Saturday’s soggy festival-goers, with left-overs distributed to Ravenna’s Center of Hope.
In addition to giant potato-filed pasta pockets, the Potato Festival crowned a new Potato Festival Queen and court. The new Queen, Ms. Cidney Lynn Furner, was crowned by 2017 Queen Hannah Ule. In addition, Junior Miss, Kierra Lommler, Young Miss Layleh Joi Furner, and little Miss Riley Krueger were also crowned. Lastly, Tater Tot Prince and Princess Airis Furner and Aleena Cartwright were also honored (pictured at left).
Afterwards, the first-ever Queens’ brunch was held at the American Legion Hall, and catered by Jake’s Eats. “We had an amazing turnout!” beamed organizer Kim Ule. Festival queens from 14 different festivals were in attendance, including attendees from Ashtabula, Geneva, Tiffin, Berlin, and Holmes County; in addition, Miss Agriculture USA and Miss North America also attended the event.
Last, but certainly not least, the festival once again hosted dock diving with Duke’s K9 Dash ‘N Splash. In spite of the unfavorable weather, participants and their humans enjoyed the festivities. After receiving an outpouring of thanks and kudos, owner Michelle Filler shared online, “YOU all make our events successful! Your love, dedication and passion for enjoying time with your dogs is heartwarming!” She concluded, “We can set up an event and have everything planned out but if no one shows up, it doesn’t matter how well we do. Your continued support of us and our events (even in the middle of a 50 degree monsoon) is so sincerely appreciated!”
