The International Rutabaga Curling Championship takes place annually at the Ithaca Farmers' Market, New York state, on the last day of the market season, which is typically the third weekend in December.

History

The International Rutabaga Curling Championship started spontaneously in December 1997. Vendors at the Ithaca Farmers' Market began rolling their wares down the main aisle with the intent to stay warm; vendors did not discriminate about what they threw, and even frozen chickens were utilized. Rules have since been developed by Steve Sierigk, the High Commissioner of the International Rutabaga Curling Championship. Because the Ithaca Farmers' Market is a food sales operation and thus classified as an essential business, it was allowed to hold the championship in 2020, one of the few events to be held in-person during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York State. Contestants that year were limited to market vendors, with in-person spectating also severely limited.

Rules

Winners

Starting in 2022, a new award was established for an athlete who the referees considered to have gone "above and beyond" for the sport, called the "Refs' Choice Award" and determined by unanimous decision by the referees. 2022 Award Winners: The CURL GIRLS Cheerleaders, who collectively inspired the entire competition to up their game. 2023 Award Winner: CHEWBAGA (former Gold Medal 2015) who has been one of the warmest competitors year after year given his costume. Since wookies live a long time, we may see him on the winner boards again. A very affable wookie, indeed, and not a fuzzball at all unless you use a large hair dryer on him after a bath.