The Akron RubberDucks' newest alternate identity features an anthropomorphic dip container dipping a chip into its own brain. Call it food for thought.
On June 19 and 20 the RubberDucks -- Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians -- will take the field as the Chip Dippers. It's an homage to French onion dip in general and, specifically, a brand that was established in the Akron area over 85 years ago.
"There was a company called Lawson's who made Lawson's Chip Dip and that was what put us on the map. It was invented in Cuyahoga Falls, which is a suburb of Akron," said RubberDucks president Jim Pfander, an Akron native. "For every picnic and family outing, or just going to the pool on a hot summer day, it was 'We're going to grab some chip dip.' It's just part of the culture."
Lawson's Dairy Store, the chain of convenience stores that sold this iconic French onion dip, was acquired by Dairy Mart in the 1990s. The dip can currently be found at regional Circle K locations, and Pfander notes that it is also "big in Japan." Its initial success inspired other Ohio companies to launch competing varieties, turning the Buckeye State into a dip epicenter via offerings from Toft Dairy, Smith's Dairy and more.
The Chip Dippers' alternate identity, utilizing a purple and blue color scheme inspired by Lawson's, was created by San Diego-based design studio Brandiose.
"Our immediate reaction was 'Is it kind of weird that he's dipping the chip into his head?'" said Pfander. "But that's what it's all about. Take something iconic and memorable like Lawson's Chip Dip and bring it to life, have some fun with it."
Chip Dippers is the latest regional food-based alternate identity released by the RubberDucks, who have a penchant for celebrating the culinary traditions of Northeast Ohio. Previous featured foodstuffs include, but are far from limited to, Sauerkraut Balls, Jojos and Cheese Salads.
"Akron's the rubber capital and it brought people together from all over the world to work in the tire industry," said Pfander. "It was a melting pot and food's just a big part of our culture."
Akron's 7 17 Credit Union Park will be a hub of French onion activity on June 19 and June 20, when the Chip Dippers take field.
"We'll challenge Akron to find out who has the best chip dip. A blind taste test where you can try dips A, B, C and D and see who's got the best," said Pfander. "We'll have some fun in-between inning contests, things like chip dip races. You name it, we're going to come up with it."