Idaho Spud Day
Established in 1927, Idaho Spud Day is an annual fall event held in Shelley, Idaho. It happens on a weekend in late September and the Wednesday leading up to the festival. It's a fun event celebrating the iconic potato and the local community, with plenty to see and do. The theme of this year's event is "Life is a Highway," so what better way to get there than an RVshare rental? You can enjoy all the fun and have a relaxing place to come home to, cook a meal, and relax.
ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT
Idaho Spud Day is a major annual event in Shelley with a ton of fun to be had by attendees of all ages. Spud Day usually occurs over the course of several days, starting on the Wednesday before and continuing on Friday and Saturday in late September. The Miss Russet Pageant is usually held on Wednesday at Hillcrest Auditorium. The Tater Trot race is held on Friday at the local high school for younger children.
Saturday is Spud Day's first official event, starting with the QRU Pancake Breakfast at 7:00 a.m. After that, you can attend the Spud Run-5k or the 1 Mile Walk, giving you plenty of time to burn off your pancake breakfast. Later in the day, you can watch the Children's Parade, followed by the main Spud Day Parade. The rest of the day will be filled with other activities, from a car show to the potato-picking contest, the potato-baking contest, and free baked potatoes with all the trimmings.
ON-SITE AMENITIES
The Idaho Spud Day Festival is in the center of town and has all you need to spend the day, including:
•Food and drink vendors
•Safety tips for your kids
•Bleacher seating for events
•City of Shelley maintenance crews on-site
•Fire, police, and EMT vehicles
•Spud Day tee-shirts for purchase
LOCATION
The Idaho Spud Day festivities take place across the town with most activities centered around Shelley City Park, also known as Dawn Lloyd Field.
Shelley City Park 224 N State Street Shelley, ID 83274
RVING AT THE EVENT
Idaho Spud Day is a community event and does not have on-site RV camping. However, the area has many RV parks and resorts where you can enjoy plenty of fun RV adventures. Here are a few ideas for staying in an RV in or near Shelley and the festival:
•Sportsmans Park, located in Aberdeen, ID is managed by the Bingham County Parks and Recreation Department. This beautiful 30-acre park is a multi-use area with facilities and activities for a variety of recreational uses. It is situated adjacent to the American Falls Reservoir, a great place for boating and fishing when not attending Spud Day. There are 23 RV sites with electric and water hookups. You can enjoy two playgrounds, five restrooms, horseshoe pits, and volleyball courts. This is a rustic and quiet campground for those who don't long for the glamping experience.
•The Snake River RV Park and Campground is located in nearby Idaho Falls just a 20-minute drive from Shelley. It has a ton of amenities that will make your stay almost as fun as Spud Day itself. It offers Wi-Fi, full hookups with electricity and water, a dump station, showers, and laundry facilities. Affordable RV servicing is an available amenity. This campground is also dog-friendly if you're traveling with a companion. If you need extra sleeping space, there are cabins available.
•The Idaho Falls Luxury RV Park offers paved sites with full hookups with 30 and 50-Amp power, water, and sewer. This park has everything you need to feel at home. You'll find laundry facilities, private bathrooms, firepits, and a camp store. Bring your pet, pickleball paddles, bikes, and fishing gear. Guests can enjoy the comfort of a luxurious and warm lodge. This is a gated community for added security.
WHERE TO STAY
If you are seeking lodging outside of an RV campground, there are several good options when attending Idaho Spud Day in Shelley. Small town or not, you can find a room at a popular hotel chain or a boutique hotel near Shelley, including:
•Hilton Garden Inn Idaho Falls Airport
•Springhill Suites by Marriott
Bed-and-breakfast inns are ideal for enjoying events like Spud Day for a more personalized lodging experience. They are often affordable yet comfortable accommodations.
HOW TO GET THERE
The easiest way to get to the festival is by traveling along Highway 91, also called State Street when in town. People coming from the north and south can make it to Shelley by following this highway. If coming in from the west, you can get there by following along East 1250 North which runs along the Snake River.
PARKING
Shelley is a small town, meaning that you can easily park within walking distance of the festivities. The most obvious place to park would be in and around City Park given that's where most of the festival's activities are held. However, these spots tend to fill up quickly and could leave you looking for somewhere else to park.
TICKETS & PRICING
No tickets are needed for admission to Idaho Spud Day You won't be charged to get into City Park and enjoy the sights. Various booths or events may cost money, particularly those selling food or souvenirs.
WRAP UP
Idaho Spud Day is a fun annual event that you won't want to miss. Whether you're fond of small-town culture, festivals, or potatoes, this event has a little something for everyone to enjoy. That includes the team here at RVshare with plenty of RV rentals in and near Shelley. Follow the event organizers and participants on Facebook for fun recaps and 2025 updates.
Please note, this is not the official source of the event information. While we try to be as comprehensive as possible, some details may have changed since the time this article was written. Please confirm final details with the official event page .
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