Hands up if you know that 2008 has been designated the Year of the Potato by the United Nations. Well it’s true, 2008 is the UN year of the spud, that root vegetable that promotes hardiness and complements harvest.

On Saturday, Nov.15, the Columbia Valley Botanical Gardens and Center for Sustainable Living is hosting a toast to the tater and a celebration of the near complete Greenhouse Project (pictured under construction). This event is a small token of gratitude for the labour and money, sweat and support that more than 200 members of the community, businesses and organizations, mostly local, have poured into the building of the Greenhouse Project.

“This is what community is all about” says Brendan Donahue, board member of the CVBGCSL. “It’s as if we took a vision and fertilized it with the big efforts of a small town.”

The Potato Palooza is shaping up to be one of those down home memorable gatherings that everyone will want to attend. Jack and Glenda Steedman have offered their Winderberry Greenhouses for the shindig hoe-down and volunteers are busy staging the location.

A broad range of events are anticipated for the Palooza (a word I think Bill Swan coined), “it’s a simple salute to the spud and a chance to pay humble homage to the many people and organizations that have made the greenhouse happen,” says Swan, long time tuber enthusiast and project leader with the CVBGCSL.

All the entertainment is home grown, starting with the wily wit of Bill Cropper as the Master of Ceremonies. A familiar lineup of favourite local musicians is being rallied together by Brian Rogers. There will be background blues, dance sets and at least one original potato ballad.

DTSS chef instructor Alison Bell has gathered local culinary artists to provide a sampling of their potato soup creations. Alison is especially grateful for the volunteer efforts that have contributed to the Greenhouse Project. She sees Saturday, November 15 as a genuine opportunity “to celebrate the opening of the Community Greenhouse and applaud the volunteers that seeded their support for present food and agricultural issues that affect us all.”

David Zehnder, executive director of the CVBGCSL thinks it is a great opportunity to “kick up your heels.”

Maureen Thorpe, chair of the CVBGCSL, and Joanne Bragg, in typical form, are patiently coordinating the volunteers for the event and arranging ticket sales to accommodate up to 200.

Bill Swan and Lin Steedman are orchestrating the participatory events of the evening.

For those that like to “show” (Bill already has his costume), there will be a juried best “All Dressed” Potato Association Costume Contest and a Potato Photo Competition. Swan also encourages people to bring their very own Mr. Potato Head for display. For those who like to “tell” there will be a Potato Poetry contest.

Lin wants to see as many people as there are potato varieties (several hundred), enter the potato relay.

She promises that there will be about 100 pounds of prizes for these events.

Lin has just accepted the position of Community Greenhouse Coordinator.

Don Bilodeau, CVBGCSL board member when asked to comment on the appointment remarked, “that’s perfect!”

Now if you just want to hang out and watch a proud community gather and share in a hard earned success, please watch for more information on this event including ticket sales.

Then again you might only have to listen for more details because good chatter travels fast in this town!

If you haven’t ventured behind DTSS to see how far the Community Greenhouse Project has come, you must do so, for you will see what a committed community can do when inspired by a vision.

“Sat. Nov. 15, Winderberry Greenhouse.”

Pardon?

I said, “ Sat. Nov, 15th Winderberry Greenhouse.”

“Speeches?”

“ Nope, maybe a toast er two.”

“ Fun?”

“ Yah, Big fun.”