As Samwise Gamgee put it in “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,” “Po-ta-toes. Boil ’em, mash ’em, put ’em in a stew.”

Carbondale is taking that advice to heart for its 117th annual Potato Days, which returns Oct. 2-4 with a locally sourced harvest lunch and an emphasis on supporting Western Slope agriculture.

This year’s theme, “Get Your Kicks on Root 66,” puts an emphasis on supporting local agriculture and sourcing the festival’s main meal from local producers. 

“Last year, we brought back the locally sourced meal and we’re doing it again this year,” event coordinator Kat Hardy said. “We donated $25,000 to Seed Peace last year and we’re planning to donate to a Community Impact Fund that supports Slow Money Western Slope.”

Seed Peace was created following the death of Casey Piscura, whom Hardy said she knew personally. 

“I worked with Casey before and we talked about ideas for sustainable farming,” Hardy said. “His death catalyzed a change in the community because we responded by making fundraisers and working hard on supporting local agriculture.”

This year’s fundraising engine will help farmers with the end-of-year harvest, while Potato Days will also offer pay-it-forward Harvest Lunch meals. 

“It’s for teachers, first responders, people who might not be able to afford it but are working hard,” Hardy said. “We’ll also have two price points this year, a $10 plate and a $20 plate.”

Meals will be plated until the food runs out. Those who do not want a meal but want to contribute to the fund can donate the money directly.

 The Slow Money Western Slope Fund provides community-based, no-interest revolving loans to farmers in the North Fork Valley and across the Western Slope. 

“This is about creating a way for the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond to support the local food system,” Hardy said. “Especially out here, if the system breaks down, we’ll be in a pickle.”

Harvey said the goal is to strengthen the relationship between the valleys as a food shed and build a robust local food system, echoing Potato Days’ original celebration of the crop that helped Carbondale in the early days of settling. 

“We won’t be as vulnerable to disruptions in that system,” Hardy said. 

Hardy also credited community members who helped make Potato Days possible. 

“It’s the people helping in the parade, the food line, and keeping Cowboy Coffee available all day,” Hardy said. “So many people put their energy in and you get to see that heart and love go into it.”

Hardy said she’s looking forward to how many people show up to the contra dance. 

“It used to be a ticketed event in the evening, but now it’ll be around 1 p.m. and it’s free,” she said. “I’m curious to see how many people come to do it, now that it’s more available.”

Hardy is excited to see the event she planned come to fruition. 

“It’s a choose your own adventure party,” she added. “I’m especially looking forward to the Harvest Lunch.”

Potato Days starts at 5 p.m Friday, Oct. 2 with First Friday and continues through the weekend. For more details, visit carbondalegov.org.