The Citizen, 1990-06-20, Page 18w ^0/
Blyth Rutabaga Festival ’90
PAGE A6, RUTABAGA FESTIVAL
'+ W5*
STEP RIGHT UP FOR
DURING THE 1990
RUTABAGA
FESTIVAL
We’ve got Bargains Galore
throughout the store plus a wide
variety of merchandise at super
sidewalk sale prices.
Wilson's Health
& Gift Centre
Blyth 523-4440
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Part of the efforts to promote rutabagas in the 1950’s was the Blyth Trade Fair. Here
in front of Memorial Hall, Blyth Standard Editor Ken Whitmore can be seen in the
background while Les Jervis (right) of Holmesvllleand an unidentified man look at a
bag of rutabagas.
Wilford was a promoter
Mention the name of A. H. Wilford to
many long-time residents of Blyth and a
smile comes to their faces at the memory of
“The Rutabaga King’’.
Mr. Wilford worked with Russell Dough
erty to promote rutabagas but he had a
style that made him memorable to just
about everyone who met him.
In 1953, working with Mr. Dougherty, he
set up the Blyth Trade Fair in the storage
buildings at the rutabaga plant. They
provided transportation from up town to
the storage building on Dinsley Street.
There were free ice cream cones and
refreshments and many turned out for the
event.
But that was just part of A. H. Wilford’s
work promoting rutabagas. In 1953 he paid
to get a featured display at the Canadian
National Exhibition in Toronto. Since
“turnips” had become associated with
cattle feed, he worked hard to promote the
product under the names “rutabaga” and
“vitabaga”.
The two men took rutabagas from Blyth
directly to every member of Parliament and
when the Queen visited Canada, they gave
her a 50 pound bag of rutabagas to help
promote the new image of vegetable.
DON’T MISS THE BLYTH RUTABAGA FESTIVAL
FIREMEN’S BREAKFAST
SUN. JUNE 24th 8 A.M. -10 AM.
AT THE BLYTH FIRE HALL
[Corner of Dinsley St. & Mill St. in Blyth]
ADULTS 3.75 UNDER 12 2.75 SCHOOLERS FREE
But A. H. Wilford was royalty himself.
He dressed up in robes with a rutabaga
crown at media gatherings and public
places, winning the name “King of the
Rutabagas’’. Rutabaga hats, outrageous
displays in supermarkets, photo sessions,
parades and almost every promotional
gimmick imaginable was used to persuade
the Canadian public to use rutabagas in
their cooking.
HIGHWAY 4 SOUTH • BLYTH, ONTARIO NOM 1HO
TELEPHONE (519) 5214256 • TELEFAX (519) 523 9130
COOL OFF
WITH OUR RUTABAGA
FESTIVAL!
We’ re your headquarters for
a wide variety of items
including *POP •FILM *ICE
CREAM ETC.
We also have VCR Rentals
Yes, there will be
rutabagas, fun, food,
frolic June 22-24
BE SURE & VISIT
THE GANG AT...
Blyth Mini Mart
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK TIL 11 P.M.
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Blyth I WEEKENDSPECIALS
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DINNER SPECIAL FRI. & SAT. 5:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. ONLY
THURS.FRI.&SAT. 5:00-MIDNIGHT
SUNDAY DINNER BUFFET 4:30 P.M. TO 7:00 P.M. ONLY
HUGHIE ELDER ENTERTAINS
FRI. & SAT. NIGHT 9 P.M. - 1 A.M.
The Blyth Inn
523-9381
Semember
When...
Hopes everyone hasagreattime this weekend at the Rutabaga
Festival!
In between all of the events planned for you, take time to come
in and take advantage of our many in-store specials.
After the parade Mr. & Mrs. “Mouse” will greet you at
Remember When.
170DINSLEYST.W.BLYTH,ONT. N0M1H0
ELAINE SCRIMGEOUR 523-9554
PLAN TO JOIN US WHILE IN TOWN
FOR THE RUTABAGA FESTIVAL!
Oktoberfest Sausage
& KrautSATURDAY
SPECIAL
FEATURE - RUTABAGA PIE
DON’T MISS OUR SUNDAY
SURPRISE RUTABAGA MENU.
REGULAR BREAKFAST SPECIAL
OPEN DAILY 5 A.M. - 7 P.M.
SUNDAY 7 A.M. - 5 P.M.
Grandview
Restaurant
BLYTH. CTY. RD. 25 & HWY. 4 523