Blyth Rutabaga Festival a success, say organizers

BY DENNY SCOTT

Organizers say the 2022 Rutabaga Festival was a success, bringing a little something for attendees of all ages to the Blyth and District Community Centre, Blyth Campground and the Blyth Lions Park.

Theresa Kolkman, who organized many of the activities that day, said that everything went very well starting with the kick-off concert on Friday night and through to all the events on Saturday, June 18.
“The weather was great and the concert was very well attended,” she said. “I think everyone had fun.”

Kolkman lauded headliner Adam Cousins and opening act Weekend Never Ends, saying both put on great performances.
She said there were many children throughout the campgrounds and the Lions Park where a special kids area was set up and said the baseball tournament went well, adding she would pursue that for the next Rutabaga Festival in five years time.
“The community stage went over really well,” she said. “Orbax and Pepper were great, and the music was awesome.”
She said the organizers appreciated everyone attending and everyone who volunteered to make the event a success.
“We heard a lot of positive things,” she said. “I’m already looking ahead to the 2027 event.”

Susan Hubbard, another organizer for the event, said the indoor vendor market went very smoothly. She also said she received a lot of positive feedback, especially around the kids area.

RUTABAGA COOK-OFF
Lynda McGregor, organizer of the Rutabaga Culinary Cook-off, said the event brought out some great dishes. 
“There were great entries and people remarked how much fun they had making their entries,” she said in an e-mail to The Citizen. “A lot of folks came through for the public tasting to choose the entry for the peoples’ Choice Awards.”
She said there was a lovely atmosphere and lots of support for the event.

The winners are as follows:
• Kid-Friendly - Tamara Giffen’s Rutabaga Bread
• Baga-Bites Appetizer - Daisy Wong’s Rutabaga Humus
• Supper Dish - Tamara Giffen’s Rutabaga Custard
• Dessert - Scott Ramsay’s Rutabaga Spice Cake with Earl Grey Cheese Glaze
• Baga Surprise - BRØD Bread and Pastry’s Smokey Caramel Pecan Rutabaga Cheesecake
• People’s Choice Award - BRØD Bread and Pastry’s Smokey Caramel Pecan Rutabaga Cheesecake.