In an unexpected turn of events, the iconic “Kenny” the Kennebec potato, a beloved figure that has stood tall above the Bass Highway for four decades, met with an unfortunate accident. The fiberglass and cement giant, which has been a beacon for travelers and locals alike, was brought down by a combination of a recent collision with a truck and the weekend’s strong winds, as Meg Powell reports for ABC News.
Rick Rockliff, the mastermind behind Kenny and a retired farmer, assured the public that the damage was merely superficial. “It’s good timing,” Rockliff stated, revealing that the family had already been considering giving the statue a facelift. Kenny was not just a roadside attraction but a symbol of the Rockliff family’s potato business, crafted meticulously in the early 1980s as an advertising gimmick.
The potato’s legacy runs deep, with even Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff having a hand in its early creation. Over the years, Kenny has weathered storms, both literal and figurative, including shotgun blasts.
As Kenny undergoes a much-needed makeover, there are whispers of potential bureaucratic hurdles in getting him back to his lofty perch. However, the incident has not dampened spirits, with Tasmanian social media buzzing with light-hearted memes celebrating Kenny’s resilience.
The community eagerly awaits the return of their beloved potato, hoping that Kenny will rise again, stronger and shinier.
Source: ABC News. Read the original story here
Photo: Credit Facebook via ABC News
