Kids compete in PotatOlympics

NORWALK — In the spirit of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Games, gold trophies and bragging rights were on the line for the competitors at Norwalk Public Library's PotatOlympics last week. Twenty-three competitors brought their decorated and "doors 'baked' shut for speed" potatoes on wheels to see whose would be the fastest down a borrowed Pinewood Derby track. While none of the "Dukes of Hazzard" TV show cast was on hand for the event, the spud-mobiles featured a wide variety of designs and colors, including several with patriotic flag themes. For a week prior to the Feb. 19 event, race kits — an Idaho potato, wheels, axles and a list of rules — were provided to anyone who wanted to try for the trophies in race speed, Best Design, Cutest Car and Coolest Car categories. Library staffers Stacey Church, Justin Brown, Julie Billinghurst, Grace Biro and Tabi Pausch corralled the cars, operated the race track, scored the races and set up a potato-themed snacks table for the competitors and audience. Quarter- and semi-final qualifying rounds pitted potatoes from the yellow and green car "garages" on opposite sides of the track. An iPad suspended above the finish line verified the "Final Four" wheeled potatoes crafted by Clayton L., Stella J., Harper P. and Tom R. would compete for the speed championship. Harper — both the youngest and smallest competitor in PotatOlympics and who also drew the smallest potato from among the kits — won the race to claim the first-place trophy. Stella's car finished in second. Stella earned two trophies, as she also garnered the "Cutest Car" gold for her tutu-clad potato that matched the outfit she wore for the competition. The staff judged that Vivi P. had created the "Coolest Car," while "Best Design" was awarded to Tom R. for "Eyes of a Potato" theme car.