You will soon be seeing rabbits everywhere in Auburn! B Bunny Blackenwhite,
our beloved mascot has an interesting story...
Back in 1992, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce had a great idea for an outdoor event that would showcase this wonderful town. They formed a committee, and started planning the 1st Annual Auburn Black & White Ball, based on ideas they had from attending events in other cities. At the same time, the Auburn Journal newspaper was starting an advertising campaign to encourage people to "shop local". It featured a little cartoon man, "Hometown Homer", that was used in their ads. Well, the Chamber of Commerce decided this event needed a mascot to help brand the event.
Bud Pisarek, a newspaper publisher, artist/cartoonist extraordinaire, and member of the committee started "playing with the idea", and came up with a rabbit that had characteristics of a gold miner (probably a reflection at Auburn's colorful past in the 1800's). Sue Kassell, the chairman this first year, wanted something more unique. Bud thought of the Mad Hatter from Alice In Wonderland - that type of rabbit..."Running out of Time" - "It's Magic"...
He took the rabbit idea, but made it leaner, thinner, longer, taller. Bud dressed the rabbit in a tuxedo with bowtie...and TENNIS SHOES! This marketing concept and these elements have stayed in place, effectively branding Auburn's Black & White Ball...and it's worked for 15 years!
At the beginning, the rabbit had no name. Sandra Reeves came up with "B. Bunny Blackenwhite" - who never talks, but communicates very well through the Chamber's ambassadors. B. Bunny "dresses for the occasion" every year,as seen in this year's version shown above with spats, a fedora, and pinstriped pants. Here are some of B. Bunny's artwork from previous Balls (click on each photo for a larger view):
