This commemorative stamp, entitled
The Big Potato, was issued as one quarter of a block of four in the ongoing
Roadside Attractions series produced by Canada Post. This block was introduced on July 07, 2011 and could be purchased in a book of eight stamps for $4.72. The other three in the block were Oxford, Nova Scotia's
Wild Blueberry, Shediac, New Brunswick's
World’s Largest Lobster and Glover’s Harbour, Newfoundland's
Giant Squid.
The Big Potato
You say “potato,” they say “really big potato,” particularly if they’re from the community of O’Leary in the western part of Prince Edward Island. Located at The Prince Edward Island Potato Museum and surrounded by fertile potato growing fields, as well as plenty of tuber trivia, this giant potato sculpture guards the entrance to the museum. Made of fibreglass and standing 4.3 metres high and 2.1 metres in diameter, this spectacular spud has mashed its way into many a tourists’ snapshot.
From Canada Post
While pretty much all of PEI is potato country, it was the town of O'Leary where the
potato museum was planted. O'Leary is near the far western end of the Island, surrounded by, you guessed it, potato fields. As well as the world's largest collection of potato related farming implements, the museum, opened in 1967, displays interesting artefacts collected mostly from O'Leary and area, including a large collection of 19th century living room, bedroom, and kitchen artefacts.
About The Canadian Potato Museum
The Canadian Potato Museum celebrates all things “potato.” Located in the community of O’Leary in the western part of Prince Edward Island, the museum houses the largest collection of farm implements and machinery related to the growing and harvesting of potatoes in the world. And, it’s surrounded by fertile potato growing fields where the humble potato has played an important role in the economy for many years. The complex also includes other attractions on site such as the Heritage Chapel, the Log Barn, the Little Red Schoolhouse and the Telephone Switchboard Office.
And don’t miss the chance to get your picture taken with the World’s Largest Potato sculpture, right at the front door.
Give yourself at least an hour to visit the main facility, or stroll through the entire complex in two or three hours for a fun, worthwhile learning experience!
And don’t forget to try the fries!
From the Canadian Potato Museum