Mash-ive result for Spudfest

WITH a record-breaking 2026 Great Trentham Spudfest under their belts, organisers are turning their minds to roasting up big plans for the 20th anniversary running of the potato-centric event next year.

Festival coordinator Brooke Limmer said this month’s festival was the most successful yet with 20,000 people attending across two days.

Crunching the attendance data, organisers said numbers recorded over the weekend have risen from 6000 people in 2024 and 17,500 in 2025.

“Because Spudfest is a community-wide event rather than a single-ticketed festival, its economic impact is spread broadly across the town and region,” Limmer said.

Plenty of spuds changed hands at this year’s bumper Spudfest earlier in May. LEFT: Spud-centric competitions produced plenty of laughs and a few bruised potatoes. Photos: Amber Gardener.

“The Great Trentham Spudfest delivers a significant boost to the local economy, with visitors from regional Victoria and Melbourne supporting local cafes, pubs, shops, accommodation providers, producers, makers and community groups across the festival weekend.

“Alongside the free festival program, many independently-run ticketed events were held throughout the weekend, with most selling out.

“Proceeds from those events went directly back to the businesses and community organisations delivering them.

“Our community groups alone, through fundraising efforts, raised close to $20,000 for their groups.”

The Spud Olympics drew plenty of competition, and laughter from the crowd.

Technique was key if you wanted to win the potato-focussed competitions. Photo: Amber Gardener.

Other highlights included the sold-out Spudhut Tours run by Trentham and District Historical Society, the inaugural and sold-out Spudfest Up Late burlesque shows, and the CWA and Food For Thought Group’s Potato Scone Devonshire Tea.

Featuring 900 scones baked and served by volunteers across one day of the festival, it had also sold out by 2pm.

“Our three local spud farming families had a bumper weekend with one family reporting over two tonnes (2000kg) of potatoes sold at the festival,” Limmer said.

“We’re incredibly excited that next year will mark the 20th year since The Great Trentham Spudfest started. There’s definitely a real buzz around for this very special celebration for the town and everyone who has been part of the festival over the years.”