Over and Out ... The Big Idaho® Potato Truck Ends 2017 Tour
EAGLE, ID, November 14, 2017 — What started as a one-year tour to celebrate the Idaho Potato Commission's (IPC) 75th anniversary has turned into the biggest (both literally and figuratively) marketing campaign in the IPC's history. Since 2012 the Big Idaho® Potato Truck has been traveling the country's highways and byways promoting America's favorite vegetable. In six years, the Truck has:
- Traveled approximately 148,000 miles
- Participated in 534 events
- 37 events had more than 350,000 people in attendance
- 52 events had more than 100,000 people in attendance
- Traveled through more than 7,200 cities and towns
- Visited all lower 48 states
"It's staggering to think how many people, millions and millions I'm sure, have encountered the Big Idaho® Potato Truck either on the road, at events, through their friends' social media channels or on TV in the series of commercials. And tens of thousands have benefited from the Truck's charitable component, "A Big Helping," explained Frank Muir, President & CEO, IPC. "We are thrilled with the growing popularity of the Truck and are very excited to unveil the new and improved giant spud next spring when the 2018 Big Idaho® Potato Truck Tour kicks off."
In 2017 the Truck logged 27,000 miles in 5 1/2 months and was the main attraction at several high profile events including:
- Houston Children's Festival
The Big Idaho® Potato Truck brought lots of smile and laughs to the children at the Houston Children's Festival, benefiting Child Advocates Inc., an organization that speaks up for abused children and guides them into safe environments where they can thrive. This festival has raised over $5.4 million over the last 29 years to help the neglected and abused children of Houston.
- NASCAR at Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway hosted the NASCAR Cup Series races on July 30 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. The Big Idaho® Potato Truck was seen taking a spin on the racetrack and was the fasted potato to cross the finish line in Pocono history!
- Washington D.C. Memorial Day Parade
Sponsored by the World War II Veterans Committee, the Big Idaho® Potato Truck was thrilled to be invited back to this annual tribute to those who died serving the United States.
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Parade
The Big Idaho® Potato truck was front and center at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Parade celebrating the induction of new inductees.
At 32 events the Truck participated in, the IPC made a $500 donation to a local charity as part of the Truck's charitable component "A Big Helping."
The 2018 Truck schedule will be posted on www.bigidahopotato.com in January.
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About the Idaho Potato Commission
Established in 1937, the IPC is a state agency responsible for promoting and protecting the famous "Grown in Idaho®" seal, a federally registered certification mark that assures consumers are purchasing genuine, top-quality Idaho® potatoes. Idaho's growing season of warm days and cool nights, ample mountain-fed irrigation and rich volcanic soil gives Idaho® potatoes their unique texture, taste and dependable performance, which differentiates them from potatoes grown in other states.