The Citizen, 1992-06-24, Page 18*||^\ Blyth Rutabaga Festival ’92
R. Dougherty, pioneer of Blyth’s rutabaga industry
Blyth’s rutabaga industry revolves mainly
around the one man who began Blyth’s
rutabaga plant and invented a machine that
revolutionized the growing of the crop:
Russell Dougherty.
Russell Dougherty was bom in McKillop
Township in 1900, the son of John
Dougherty and Margaret Fulton. He moved
to Blyth in 1929, taking up residence on
Drummond Street.
In partnership with Joe Hamilton, he
rented a garage on what is now the
municipal parking lot on the comer of Queen
and Drummond Sts. Mr. Dougherty sold
International Harvester farm equipment
while Mr. Hamilton repaired cars.
When the garage burned down in 1935,
Mr. Dougherty moved to what is now
Campbell Transport on Queen St. He built a
house and garage and carried on operations.
In 1939 Mr. Dougherty began waxing
rutabagas in part of the garage.
In 1944 he built a waxing plant near the
CPR station and moved the waxing
operations there. Mr. Dougherty built a
precision seeder in 1951, the first in North
America, which allowed seeds to be
individually dropped into the soil. Before his
invention, many more seeds were planted
than needed and the plants had to be
labouriously thinned out by hand.
Farmers from as far away as Walkerton
and Exeter were growing rutabagas to be
brought to the Blyth plant. The plant
employed fifteen people, trimming and
waxing 1500-1800 bushels a day, during the
winter. In the summer more employees were
needed in the fields for hoeing and thinning.
The Blyth plant employed up to 150 people
in the peak season.
In 1963 Mr. Dougherty sold the plant to
George Hubbard, who had begun growing
and processing rutabagas from a rented bam
in Bright. Mr. Hubbard steadily increased
the acreage from the original 70 acres.
Today the plant has been expanded several
times and the rutabagas are shipped
throughout North America on the company's
own trucks.
Russell Dougherty died in 1977. He is
survived by his wife Ruth, sons Sam,
Willie, and daughters Lena Nesbitt and Pat
Pfrimmer. A son, Clifford, predeceased him
Hope you "turn up" in
Blyth for the Rutabaga
Festival
Come to Chauncey's for: ’Perms • Body Waves • Conditioning
’» • Tints • Color • Frosting • Tinting
& of course expert haircuts and styling
Chauncey's Hairstyling Inc.
Make an appointment
with Judy or Jackie today!Queen St. Blyth 523-9722
Join the race to rain prizes in
QJie Citizen's Rutabuggy Contest
Sunday, June 28 1 p.m.
On the job
Many ambitious floats, all with a rutabaga theme highlight the annual
parade each year on the Saturday of the Rutabaga Festival.
WELCOME
TO THE BLYTH RUTABAGA FESTIVAL
We hope that you will enjoy a
fun filled weekend in Blyth!
BE SURE TO VISIT US AT
GORE'S SB Blyth
523-9273
CONTEST RULES
1. All vehicles must have an
effective steering mechanism.
2. All vehicles must have an
effective braking mechanism.
3. All cars must register 15 minutes
before the starting time of the race.
CLASSES
Prizes will be awarded for the
following categories:
1. Fastest girl 9 or under.
2. Fastest boy 9 or under.
3. Fastest girl, 10-12
4. Fastest boy 10-12.
5. Fastest girl 12-15.
6. Fastest boy 12-15.
7. Best decorated for the theme of
the eventxwith the emphasis on
humour.
Please be sure to let us know if you're entering a
rutabuggy, by calling 523-4792.
Come join us in celebrating with our community
RUTABAGA FESTIVAL
June 26 - 28, 1992
Friday 26 June 1992
9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Ladies Auxiliary
Penny Sale (at the Legion)
7:30 p.m. Baking Contest
Judging
8:00 p.m. Opening Ceremonies
- MC Murray Gaunt CKNX
8:15 p.m. Variety Show
6-11 p.m. Midway plus
Concession stands
Saturday 27 June 1992
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Penny Sale (at
the Legion)
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Juried Craft
show
11 a.m. Parade (through town)
1 - 6 p.m. Flea Market
1-6 p.m. Pitching Machine
1-6 p.m. Dunk Tank
1 - 2 p.m. Bed Races
2 - 3 p.m. Firemen's Barrel
Fight
1-2 p.m. Band Concert
2 - 6 p.m. Entertainment
All activities at the Arena and
Fairgrounds, unless otherwise stated.
Program subject to change.
Camping available at the Blyth and
District Community Centre on Gypsy
Lane- for reservations call 523-9600
12 noon - 7 p.m. Beer Tent
12 noon - 7 p.m. Midway and
Concessions
4 p.m. Betsy Bingo
4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Pork
Chop Supper
9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Lions Club
Dance Whiskey Jack
Sunday 28 June 1992
10 a.m. - 12 noon Fishing
Derby (Radford's Pond)
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Soap Box Derby
2-3 p.m. Tricycle Ball Game
12 noon - 5 p.m. Midway and
Concessions
3 - 4 p.m. Family Games
4:30 p.m. Closing Ceremonies
Blyth, Ontario
No admission. Donations accepted
at the Souvenir Booth
This advertisement is sponsored by
For information 523-4545
Reliable Energy Since 1951