Exhibit Marks Dole’s 125th Anniversary and Highlights the Impact of Corporate Mascots on Promoting Healthy Lifestyles

The National Mascot Hall of Fame, the premier institution dedicated to celebrating sports mascots both virtually and physically, has introduced a special exhibit featuring Bobby Banana, the beloved mascot of Dole Food Company.

This exhibit, titled “Bobby Banana: Dole’s Healthy-Living Icon for a Hungry World,” was inaugurated today in the Department of Mascot Studies Gallery and will run through September 30, 2024. Bobby Banana, a 7-foot character created in 1992, has been a vibrant symbol of healthy living, encouraging nutritious food choices and active lifestyles among families and children worldwide.

Located in Whiting, Indiana, just 21 miles south of Chicago, the National Mascot Hall of Fame also hosts a virtual museum that honors 33 inducted mascots to date. The exhibit’s timing coincides with Dole’s 125th Banana-Versary, marking 125 years of the company’s influence in the banana industry. This year-long celebration includes a variety of online, social, promotional, and in-store activities.

Karen Anaszewicz, the executive director of the National Mascot Hall of Fame, emphasized the significance of corporate mascots like Bobby Banana. “While the focus of the National Mascot Hall of Fame has traditionally been on college and professional sports mascots, we can’t help but admire the work of corporate icons like Dole’s Bobby Banana who have helped electrify and inspire progress toward a better, healthier and more equitable world,” Anaszewicz stated. She highlighted that Bobby Banana is the first globally recognized corporate mascot to be featured in the museum’s five-year history.

The exhibit includes a series of illuminated display panels providing detailed information about Bobby Banana, Dole Food Company, and the Banana-Versary.

William Goldfield, Dole’s director of corporate communications, played a crucial role in developing the exhibit. “We’ve had many dialogues with the National Mascot Hall of Fame over the years, so to finally see the display christened and welcoming guests is a major thrill – for me, Bobby and everyone at Dole,” Goldfield expressed. He noted that this exhibit is a significant highlight of their Banana-Versary celebration.

As part of its evolving mission, the National Mascot Hall of Fame plans to start inducting corporate mascots officially in 2025, expanding its narrative to include these influential figures. Anaszewicz mentioned that more details about this new initiative will be announced soon.

Visitors can explore the National Mascot Hall of Fame from Tuesday through Thursday between 10 am and 3 pm, and on Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. The museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays, with admission priced between $8 and $10. More information about visiting can be found on their website, https://mascothalloffame.com/visit/.

For those interested in learning more about Dole’s 125th Banana-Versary, further details are available on the celebration page.