The Citizen, 1992-06-24, Page 17Farm Show'
Rutabaga Mash
Young performers got a little encouragement from their elders as
they took part in the Rutabaga Mash at last year's Gong Show.
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24,1992. PAGE 17.
Blyth Rutabaga Festival ’92
Murray Gaunt
emcees show
On Friday, June 26 the official opening
ceremonies of the Rutabaga Festival will
begin at the Blyth Arena, at 8:00 pm.
Immediately following the opening
ceremonies will be a Variety Show featuring
local talent in a variety of acts and musical
numbers.
For the second year, a midway has been
added outdoors with amusements and rides
for the whole family.
Festival fun
Last year's midway first time feature
that is returning this year wins a big
smile from this little one.
Wilf ord, Blyth’s
rutabaga king
Welcome to Blyth's Annual
Rutabaga Festival June 26, 27 & 28
A. H. Wilford is well known to many
long-time residents of Blyth as "The
Rutabaga King".
Mr. Wilford worked with Russell
Dougherty to promote rutabagas in a style
that made him memorable to those who met
him.
In 1953, working with Mr. Dougherty, he
set up the Blyth Trade fair in the rutabaga
plant's storage buildings. The two men not
only provided transportation from uptown to
the storage buildings on Dinsley St., but free
ice cream cones and refreshments as well.
But this was just part of Mr. Wilford's plan
to promote rutabagas. In 1953, he set up a
featured display at the Canadian National
Exhibition in Toronto. Because "turnips"
were commonly associated with cattle feed,
he began promoting the product under the
names "rutabaga" and "vitabaga". It was on
their visits to Toronto, the two men initiated
the idea of freezing diced rutabagas and they
often passed out rutabaga juice and diced
rutabagas to promote their product.
The two men took rutabagas from Blyth to
every member of Parliament and when the
Queen visited Canada, they presented her
with a 50 lb. bag of rutabagas to help
promote the vegetables new image.
To the people of Blyth A. H. Wilford was
royalty himself. He dressed up in robes with
a rutabaga crown at media gatherings and
public events, winning himself the name
"King of the Rutabagas".
Rutabaga hats, outrageous supermarket
displays, photo sessions, parades and almost
every promotional gimmick imaginable was
used to persuade the Canadian public to use
rutabagas.
Guest of honour
It wouldn't be the Rutabaga Festival if
this fellow didn't turn up.
BLYTH DECORATING
CENTRE LTD.
188 Queen St. Blyth 523-4930
GRAND VIEW RESTAURANT
& GAS BAR
FAMILY DINING, GREAT COFFEE,
HOMEMADE PIES AND DESSERTS,
DAILY SPECIALS
Don't miss our Rutabaga Festival Specials
Open Monday - Saturday, 5 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sundays 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Fast Friendly Service Blyth 523-4471
Savings
THAT ARE SURE
TO PLEASE
30 % OFF MEN'S, LADIES'&
CHILDREN’S SUMMER
CLOTHING
WEBSTER'S
CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR
BLYTH 523-9709
WELCOME TO BLYTH'S RUTABAGA FESTIVAL
GRAND VIEW TOO
RESTAURANT & SPORTS BAR
DAILY BUFFET & SALAD BAR
SUNDAY BRUNCH & SMORGASBORD
Plan to join us while in town for the Rutabaga
Festival
Open Mon. 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Tues. - Sat. 11 a.m. -1 a.m.
Sun. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Blyth 523-9623