Carolers, 'Father Frymas' celebrate National French Fries Day in Oak Park

OAK PARK, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — It was like Christmas in July on the 200 block of North Elmwood in Oak Park, where a home was decorated with all things french fries.

The event was sponsored by McCain Foods. Tracy Hostelter, of McCain Foods North American Potato, spoke with WBBM.

“As one of the companies that makes one in every four french fries around the world, we decided that we wanted to put a stake in the ground and celebrate this as if it were a real holiday,” Hostetler said. “We have decked out a house here in Oak Park.”

The house was decked out, indeed. It was filled, top to bottom, with decorations, including french fry trees and trains. There were carolers singing McCain Foods french fry songs, and there was even a character named “Father Frymas.”

“My name is Father Frymas,” he told WBBM. “I get fried; I also help others fry … I help deliver fries and anything that’s in the oven to every family, every child, every human being on this earth — sometimes dogs, too, they also like me — so I like to help them out.”

Hundreds lined up to enjoy the French fried fun and get, unsurprisingly, free fries. The company was celebrating National French Fries Day all weekend.

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