Ithaca, N.Y. — Mayor Svante Myrick will kick off the 17th Annual International Rutabaga Curling World Championship at the Ithaca Farmers Market later this month, according to the market’s manager Aaron Munzer.
Why I shop downtown — Marty
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The Rutabaga Curling championship is a delightfully Ithaca event in which the Rutabaga, a cruciferous vegetable of the Brassicaceae family, is rolled down the central farmers market pavilion.
Myrick will toss the “Ceremonial First Rutabaga, after the Parade of the Athletes descends from Mount Cruciferous,” according to Munzer.
“To our knowledge Mayor Myrick is the youngest mayor in the world to have had to opportunity to kick off a sporting event of this kind,” Munzer said in a news release.
This year’s event will be held Dec. 20.
Some photos and videos from prior Rutabaga events:
Here’s the rest of the press release from the farmers market:
The event is held at the Ithaca Farmers Market’s pavilion at Steamboat Landing on the last market day of the year. This year the Curl falls onDecember 20th. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the games begin at High Noon, with the first Toss to begin shortly thereafter. The market itself also starts at 10 p.m. and goes until 2 p.m.
Anyone can roll a rutabaga at the event. Registration is just $5, which gets contestants a rutabaga and the ability to toss in one of three heats. There is also a Turnip Toss for youngsters, same registration fee.
This year the rutabaga curl will also feature tasty Rutabaga Curly Fries, available for sale, and a special photo booth from What’s Good Ithaca, so please come dressed accordingly (warmly and goofy).