FLORENCEVILLE-BRISTOL, NB, July 14, 2013 /CNW/ - Hundreds of French fry fans gathered on July 13th at Potato World Museum in the French Fry Capital of the World to celebrate a special day dedicated to one of their favourite foods.
The Town of Florenceville-Bristol kicked off National French Fry Day with the unveiling of a World Record attempt at creating the largest piece of artwork made from French fries. Artist Kerry O'Toole created the portrait of the town's covered bridge using approximately 5700 French fries of various shapes, including straight cut, curly fries, crinkle cut and shoe string fries. The one-of-a-kind work of art will be submitted for recognition by the Guinness World Book of Records, which currently does not have a category for French fry art.
"This artwork is in a class of its own," said Tourism Director Pam Brennan. "So we can probably say it's not only the largest, but also the most beautiful piece of art made from French fries in the world. Now, we just have to ask Guinness to make it official."
Other events at Potato World included a French Fry Cutting Competition with local dignitaries vying to be crowned top French Fry Cutter of Florenceville-Bristol. Mayor Karl Curtis, 4H President of River Valley Dever Pickard, Chair of the Canadian Potato Council, Joe Brennan, and Kelly Cain, N.B. Deputy Minister, Tourism, Heritage and Culture took on the returning 2012 Champion, Potato Grower Peter Tweedie of Lakeside Farms. The contestants chopped vigorously for two minutes trying to make the most French Fries. In the end 11.5 kgs of French fries were cut by Mayor Karl Curtis who was crowned the Champion French Fry Cutter of 2013 and will return to defend his title next year.
NB Premier David Alward, local Member of Parliament Mike Allen and Crispy, the Town mascot, welcomed visitors who were treated to free fries and a free tour of the potato museum. Volunteers from the 4-H handed out French fry recipes and dozens of people tried their hand at cutting French fries and planting seed potatoes.
All of the town's restaurants participated in the special day by featuring French fry deals on their menus. Fry fans who ordered at restaurants or who bought fries at the local Co-op store to cook at home had a chance to win free McCain French Fries for a year.
Pam Brennan said the day was all about having fun and enjoying one of the world's most beloved foods.
"Everyone loves fries," she said. "Those hot, crispy golden treasures are perfect for sharing and we wanted to mark National French Fry Day by sharing them with residents and visitors."
Brennan says she expects many visitors will return to Florenceville-Bristol after getting a taste of what the French Fry Capital of the World has to offer.
Video with caption: "Video: Hundreds of French fry fans gathered on July 13th at Potato World Museum in the French Fry Capital of the World to celebrate a special day dedicated to one of their favourite foods.". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20130714_C7331_VIDEO_EN_29015.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20130714_C7331_PHOTO_EN_29015.jpg&clientName=Town%20of%20Florenceville%2DBristol&caption=Video%3A%20Hundreds%20of%20French%20fry%20fans%20gathered%20on%20July%2013th%20at%20Potato%20World%20Museum%20in%20the%20French%20Fry%20Capital%20of%20the%20World%20to%20celebrate%20a%20special%20day%20dedicated%20to%20one%20of%20their%20favourite%20foods%2E&title=TOWN%20OF%20FLORENCEVILLE%2DBRISTOL%20%2D%20Town%20cooks%20up%20fun%20with%20fries&headline=Town%20cooks%20up%20fun%20with%20fries
Image with caption: "Crispy, the Town Mascot unveils the finished art with the help of Charles Walker from the Town of Florenceville-Bristol and artist, Kerry O'Toole. (CNW Group/Town of Florenceville-Bristol)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130714_C7331_PHOTO_EN_29012.jpg
Image with caption: "French fry cutting competitors l-r; Dever Pickard, 4H President of River Valley, Kelly Cain, NB Deputy Minister, Tourism, Heritage and Culture, Potato Grower Peter Tweedie of Lakeside Farms, Joe Brennan, Chair of the Canadian Potato Council, and winner of the competition, Florenceville-Bristol Mayor Karl Curtis. (CNW Group/Town of Florenceville-Bristol)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130714_C7331_PHOTO_EN_29013.jpg
SOURCE: Town of Florenceville-Bristol
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