|
|
In 1843, Marshall County, Kentucky was founded. The hardy pioneer residents were farmers scratching out a meager existence on little farms, living on what they could grow, catch, or make. Very little in the way of socializing or entertainment came into their lives. So the first Monday in April was a very important day. They all packed up their wagons with children, trade goods, and extra livestock, then headed into the town of Benton for Tater Day
|
|
Yes, we celebrate the passing of winter by honoring the ‘Tater' here in Marshall County, Kentucky. Not just any ‘ole tater either. We think the sweet tater is pretty grand in these parts. Tater Day was so named because the farmers used that day to trade sweet potato slips in the early spring. They are not grown by cutting the tuber into chunks like the white potato. They have to be encouraged to sprout, and the little plants are then pulled off of the parent 'tater' and planted. The little plantlets are called 'slips'. These slips were what the farmers needed to start their sweet potato patch each Spring. Sweet potatoes are in no way related to the familiar white potato. The white potato has more genetic material in common with a tomato than a sweet potato. This plant needs a long, warm growing season and can only be planted after and the ground has warmed. Last frost in these parts usually comes before the 15th of April, so the farmers would be very busy with crops and planting shortly after the first Monday. There would be no time for socializing or celebrations. All hands who could possibly do so, would be busy preparing the soil for the coming season. Tater slips needed to be at the farms and ready to plant as soon as the ground was ready. Tater Day was about more than just taters though. The Mule Pen at the bottom of the hill was a busy place. Sometimes the same mule would change owners several times before being tied to the back of a wagon, and finally taken to it's new home. Hogs, chickens, geese and milk cows were swapped and traded for also. One of the busiest areas, and often one that drew the most crowds, was the Huntin' Dog Corner. Half grown pups from the previous year were paraded about, sometimes with the prized parent nearby, to show the potential of the young ones. Lots of stories and speculation went on as to which dog had the most possibilities. Occasionally, even the older and experienced dogs went to new homes, but this was rare. A good huntin' dog was part of the family, and rarely would a farmer part with one. As the years went by, Marshall County became more populated. The town of Benton actually looked like a town. Tater Day became a larger celebration. There might be the novelty of Half Moon, the Piute Medicine Man, or a Snake Oil salesman selling his Magic Elixir, guaranteed to cure gout, rheumatism and the Vapors. Ladies could buy pots and pans, or calico by the yard. Politicians saw this as an opportunity to speak to voters. The tater slips were still around, but this day was also used for many other purposes also. The 19th Century became the 20th Century. Farmers and their families still left in their loaded wagons before daybreak, to travel the eight, ten, or twelve miles into Benton. The roads were dirt, and often rutted and muddy. More activities were appearing, as modern conveniences came to this isolated part of the state. The addition of a movie theater was a great success, and the operators showed the current film back to back all day long. Vendors selling various food and drink items found a ready made customer base, and the uncommon drink of lemonade was a big hit. As more and more conveniences became available in Marshall County, the sweet tater slips were becoming harder and harder to find. The availability of commercially canned vegetables, and fewer people planting gardens for their existence shuffled the sweet potato to a back room. Very few people actually plant sweet potatoes in Marshall County any more. Tater Day has become a huge flea market and carnival, with rides and cotton candy. Hot rods have replaced the mule-drawn wagons going up and down the streets. Miss Tater Day reigns over the festivities and heads up the parade riding in the back of a convertible. Chances are, she wouldn't know a sweet potato plant if she fell into a pile of them. Schools all over west Kentucky are dismissed on this day, as it was getting harder and harder to keep students from playing ‘hookey' on Tater Day. Instead, there is a giant parade all through town and marching bands from many schools participate. This little town of 3800 swells to a population of close to 60,000 . On the Saturday before Tater Day, the Tater Day Trot and the Tour De Tater get local athletes involved with the celebration, drawing runners and bikers from all over the area. Billed mainly as a ‘fun run' and ‘bike ride for all', both events have divisions for fun seekers, as well as serious athletes. The lemonade is still available, with vendors squeezing fresh lemons into cups as the customers wait. Corn dogs have replaced the bar-b-q goat or hog cooked in a pit. Instead of chickens and milk cows for sale, cheap sunglasses and Hank Williams Jr. wall hangings are the normal merchandise. But, if one knows where to look, over under the shade trees at the city park, there will still be a few ‘tater slips' offered. Usually there is a group of older gentlemen in bib overalls, trading stories, swapping pocket knives, and the occasional dog or shotgun. The true significance of the day is not lost on them. Their sharp eyes and seasoned trading methods are an art to behold. While they love to make the best deal, and come out on top, they are all true gentlemen and would never make a dishonest trade. Their word is their bond, and can be counted on absolutely. Tater Day is probably one of the oldest continually observed celebrations in the country, and is also likely the only celebration honoring the sweet potato. Times have changed, and the need for growing one's own food has all but disappeared, but still we come each April. We celebrate the passing of winter, we meet with friends and neighbors, and we still love our taters.
|
I come from a long line of Kentuckians who love the Good Earth. I love to learn about every living thing, and love to share what I've learned. Photography is one of my passions, and all of the images in my articles are my own.
|
|
Subject: Tater Pics
Posted by justmeLisa (from Brewers, KY) on April 7, 2008 at 9:02 PM:This is the nicest man ..we go to church with him, such a sweet person. He is so kind to us and we've adopted Mr. Joe. He collects old cars and restores them. ... Posted by gardenwife (from Newark, OH) on April 8, 2008 at 8:37 PM: That's nice, Lisa. Decent, loving people like you and your family attract decent, sweet people like your Mr. Joe. The man who wants friends should show himself friendly -- and you do just that. :) ...
Subject: more old cars
Posted by justmeLisa (from Brewers, KY) on April 7, 2008 at 8:59 PM:these are so fine! ...
Subject: pictures of Tater Day
Posted by justmeLisa (from Brewers, KY) on April 7, 2008 at 8:58 PM:what is a parade without a backwards bike rider... ... Posted by gardenwife (from Newark, OH) on April 8, 2008 at 8:38 PM: Was the whole bike going backward, or did he have it set up so it would pedal backward...Err, forward?
If you answer with just "yes", I'm gonna slap ya silly! :D ... Posted by Horseshoe (from Efland, NC) on April 8, 2008 at 8:52 PM: hah! "Slap slap!"
Nice pics you posted, Lisa. It was a whole new world for ya, eh!? So glad you got to experience it. And even knew on of the parade participants to boot!
Great pics of old cars. I reckon old people like old cars, eh? Er, uhhh, welp, lemme rephrase that somehow. :>)
Thanks for posting! Maybe next year a DG Roundup should be centered around Tater Day, eh?
Shoe ... Posted by melody (from Benton, KY) on April 9, 2008 at 10:40 AM: No way Shoe! Tater Day is best not observed by a crowd...(or a Tater Day Tour) It's already way too crowded. Locals leave town, and businesses close. The banks in town even have special permission from the Feds to not open for Tater Day.
By the way, Lisa the guy on the bike isn't the man I thought it was. Different guy. ... Posted by Horseshoe (from Efland, NC) on April 9, 2008 at 10:58 AM: I hear ya, Melody. Reckon that is how it is in our little town when we have our annual Hog Day event. It's gotten so big that shy people like me tend to lurk from a distance!
Happy Day to all!
Shoe ... Posted by gardenwife (from Newark, OH) on April 9, 2008 at 2:56 PM: Well, Reynoldsburg has its tomato festival and Circleville has the pumpkin show. Each includes its namesake prepared and served in any number of ways. :) ... Posted by justmeLisa (from Brewers, KY) on April 9, 2008 at 8:18 PM: when we lived in Louisiana we got out of town for Mardi Gras....
At first Sally didn't want to go to the Tater Day parade, she thought they were going to throw Taters at us! ... Posted by gardenwife (from Newark, OH) on April 14, 2008 at 6:04 PM: Tell Sally I don't blame her! Who'd want to be bonked in the head with a tater? :D ...
Subject: Old cars, Tater Day Pics
Posted by justmeLisa (from Brewers, KY) on April 7, 2008 at 8:55 PM:There were so many fine cars. ... Posted by pandora125 (from Symsonia, KY) on April 8, 2008 at 1:33 AM: what a great pic~thanks for posting the pics, Lisa
Vicki ...
Subject: Tater Day Pictures
Posted by justmeLisa (from Brewers, KY) on April 7, 2008 at 8:52 PM:Lots of tractors..vintage ones! If you enlarge this picture you will see a basket tied to the front of this tractor..Thank goodness I saw it. I was beginning to wonder if anyone invited the Sweet Taters.. ...
Subject: Tater Day
Posted by sallygreenthumb (from Benton, KY) on April 7, 2008 at 12:25 PM:What a small world....I'm from Benton too......Happy Tater Day Rose! ... Posted by leaflady (from Hughesville, MO) on April 7, 2008 at 5:14 PM: Wow! That is a fasinating article. What a change time has brought. Not all of it good. I have a feeling that with the economy slipping the way it is more people are going to have to raise their food than are doing so now. 'Tator slips may make a comeback. I have a friend who raises sweet potatoes every year. ... Posted by Dutchlady1 (from Naples, FL) on April 7, 2008 at 8:30 PM: I really enjoyed the article. ... Posted by sallyg (from Millersville, MD) on April 7, 2008 at 10:10 PM: That was a reallly fun read, and timely reminder to get my (ornamental)tater slips going~~ ...
Subject: Marshall County taters
Posted by SharaLeigh (from Columbus, IN) on April 7, 2008 at 11:47 AM:Small world cathy4! I'm in Indiana but my parents live in Murray, right down town. I've heard of your tater day all the way up here. I sent my Mom a link to your very informative article. Thanks for the info. It's nice to see my home state have a representation on a national gardening website. I miss the south (and it's planting schedules!) more than I could mention. Have fun at Tater Day!
-SharaLeigh
... Posted by melody (from Benton, KY) on April 7, 2008 at 12:07 PM: Glad you enjoyed it. I'm a seventh generation Kentuckian and love living here.
Hope your mom likes the article! ...
Subject: Yeah Taters!
Posted by cathy4 (from St. Louis County, MO) on April 7, 2008 at 9:37 AM:I didn't know how to grow a sweet potato, thanks for sharing the information in such a delightful way. We will be having taters for supper tonight. ... Posted by Kathleen (from Panama, NY) on April 7, 2008 at 10:12 AM: What, no tractor pull???
I hope those men with the sweet potato slips are passing some knowledge along - someone is going to have to know how to do this. ... Posted by Horseshoe (from Efland, NC) on April 7, 2008 at 11:58 AM: Dagnabbit! Wish I was there today celebrating! Sounds like my kind of hang-out, especially the old guys under the shade trees!
Hope you take time to go today, Mel! And take the local Cajun Family with ya!
Shoe ... Posted by melody (from Benton, KY) on April 7, 2008 at 12:05 PM: The Cajuns and I went up there Sat. We went to the flea mkt, ate home-made ice cream, and Vietnamese grilled pork on a stick.
Today, there are way too many folks there, and not enough places for me to sit and rest my feet. They still can't hold out for any long walking event. Lisa took Sally back for the parade today though. I'm anxious to here a report. It's one of the best parades in the 4 state area...especially for kids. She's coming by this afternoon. ... Posted by Horseshoe (from Efland, NC) on April 7, 2008 at 12:14 PM: Great! Maybe they'll take pictures! Sally's gonna love that parade I bet! (And I'd love that grilled pork on a stick!)
Okay, off into the wet rainy day to admire my gardens, and figger out where to plant my sweetpotatoes this year!
And you, go rest those feet every chance ya get! Hope they are healing up better and better each day.
Shoe ... Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on April 7, 2008 at 3:24 PM: Thanks for a fun article! I'm glad you got up there for the festivities -- and I'm glad you're still taking care of your feet. I'm hoping you'll be prancing around again in no time, good as new! :-) ... Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on April 7, 2008 at 4:25 PM: Well, I missed Tater Day, Mel...imagine!!!
I had my share of Tater Days when my children were in band for middle school and high school, thank you very much. I loved every minute of it .......the first time.
I sure enjoyed your article, though....but I am glad I didn't have to be anywhere near Benton today! ... Posted by justmeLisa (from Brewers, KY) on April 7, 2008 at 8:49 PM: hey Shoe,
Well, I guess I'm in...I went to the Tater Day parade..saw Miss Tater, Little Miss Tater and still even extra Little Miss Tater...
I must say it was quite and event.
Lots of old cars, tractors and horses. Very different from our Louisiana parades! ... Posted by Horseshoe (from Efland, NC) on April 7, 2008 at 10:09 PM: :Yay! Congrats, Lisa! I'm sure it was a new experience for ya'll!
Just think, years from now you'll look back on this day and realize "That was the day I truly understood the meaning of a tater and what it has to offer..."! All becuz of Tater Day in the great state of Kentucky!
Happy evening to all!
Shoe ... Posted by KyWoods (from Melbourne, KY) on April 7, 2008 at 11:59 PM: It does sound a little different from Mardi Gras, lol. Sounds like a nice, fun, family day--like Mardi Gras was when I was a kid! My how times change.
Interesting history of that part of KY, Mel. I enjoyed the article! ... Posted by pandora125 (from Symsonia, KY) on April 8, 2008 at 1:26 AM: i didn't go this year, but it would have been a nice day for it! (finding a parking place is just something else though.)
This message was edited Apr 8, 2008 12:27 AM ...
Login to post a comment.
| 
