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Did You Know? Central Utah Is Home To The Ed Roth's 'Rat Fink' Reunion

Are you wearing a t-shirt with a design on it right now? Ed Roth’s fans say you have him to thank for it. 

Roth painted on hot rods, designed his own future-looking cars, and started airbrushing, and then silk screening monsters on t-shirts. His fans say he was the first to put a design on a t-shirt in southern California in the 50s and 60s.

Roth eventually moved to Utah, settling in Manti where he died in 2001. Every year for the last 18, his fans gather in mid-Utah to honor him and his creation Rat Fink, a disgusting cartoon counter to Mickey Mouse.

Utah State University journalism instructor Brian Champagne takes you to the Rat Fink reunion where Finksters, as they call themselves, explain the get-together, and a new effort to save Roth’s art.

If you missed this year's Rat Fink Reunion, no worries. They will meet in 2019 on Thursday, May 30th through Saturday, June 1.

Brian Champagne grew up in the less-famous Central California but left after starting his television news career there. He worked 22 years in news for NBC, ABC, Fox, and CBS affiliates in four markets. He served as chief photographer for KTXL-TV in Sacramento, but worked in front of the camera, too.