All Eyes On Rhode Island

Fri., March 24, 2000

Mr. Potato Head is the symbol of a new state tourism campaign. Not for Idaho, but Rhode Island. The plastic toy spud has been produced since 1952 by Pawtucket-based Hasbro Inc. And as part of a $200,000 campaign, “Rhode Island The Birthplace of Fun,” 6-foot statues of him were presented on the Statehouse steps in Providence and will move on to greet visitors around the state. The statues were designed by local artists with different themes. There’s Salty Spud, in orange raingear with a fishing net. Another wears horn-rimmed sunglasses and a bikini. “I thought, I can’t do this, it’s ridiculous. We were laughing all day,” said artist Linda Dewing, who created the golden Independent Potato. Learn more at: www.VisitRhodeIsland.com

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All Eyes On Rhode Island

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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