Mill Park Publishing of Eagle sponsored the Children’s Writing Challenge in conjunction with the 5th Annual Idaho® Potato Drop on December 31, 2017. The judges chose the top ten winners after reading more than 100 clever and creative entries from local children. The original essays included robot potatoes, spuds with glitter and unicorns, fighting bakers that shoot French fries from their eyes, and tubers from outer space.
First Place – Megan B., age 10, Seven Oaks Elementary, Boise, for “Potato Invasion” – Reads at 3:45 pm
Second Place – Belle T., age 11, Crimson Point Elementary, Kuna, for “A Potato Named Jeff”
Third Place – Alexis W, age 8, Riverside Elementary, Boise, for “The Magic Flying Potato” – Reads at 3:00 pm
Fourth Place – Noah C., age 9, Seven Oaks Elementary, Boise, for “Cat and Bunny in the Potato Patch” – Reads at1:46 pm
Fifth Place – Noah W., age 9, Seven Oaks Elementary, Boise, for “Jerry and Barry”
Sixth Place – Josie R., age 10, Seven Oaks Elementary, Boise, for “The Potato Story”
Seventh Place – Evelyn A., age 9, Seven Oaks Elementary, Boise, for “The Invasion of Potatoes”
Eighth Place – Adelie C., age 9, Seven Oaks Elementary, Boise, for “Runaway Potatoes”
Ninth Place – Jeremiah P., age 9, Seven Oaks Elementary, Boise, for “Me the Potato”
Tenth Place – Paia C., age 9, Seven Oaks Elementary, Boise, for “The Long Journey”
The top 10 entries each will receive a certificate, $25 from Mill Park Publishing, and a copy of the award-winning book Gators & Taters: A Week of Bedtime Stories and The Magic Potato – La Papa Mágica. The top 10 winners will be introduced during a special program on the Main Stage at on December 31.
The top four winners will read their winning entries at a special ceremony on the Main Stage in front of the Capitol on December 31.
The Idaho® Potato Drop is a free and charitable community event that supports local arts, business, and charities. Activities feature a fireworks show, a Family Tent, Rail Jam, and live music at the state capitol for New Year’s Eve. The “drop” of the gigantic, lighted potato at midnight is now a worldwide attraction.
Mill Park Publishing is an official vendor for the event and will be selling books in the Family Tent. Parents can save $10 off the price of two books. The company was created by bestselling author Elaine Ambrose to promote and publish books for all ages, create motivating writing retreats, and sponsor writing challenges.
