In 1983, the Cabbage Patch Kids first landed on toy-store shelves, beginning a story that would last for decades. Three decades later the plush dolls have grown into an iconic brand that still brings smiles to children across North America.
On October 15, JAKKS Pacific and ChizComm hosted a press conference play date to mark the Cabbage Patch Kids 30th anniversary at Black Creek Pioneer Village. Guests arrived by a horse-drawn carriage and were greeted with balloons and face painting as the day began. Each attendee found a small Cabbage Patch Kids baby doll waiting at their seat, a playful welcome to a celebration steeped in nostalgia and joy.
Harold Chizick, president of ChizComm, opened the event with a fond look back at the brand’s origins. He recalled that the Cabbage Patch line was to toys what Beatlemania was to music—a phenomenon that thrived long before the Internet and social media. Fans lined up in stores and participated in bids and auctions, driven by a sense of excitement that transcended generations.
Starting on November 1, JAKKS Pacific kicked off a month-long doll giveaway on its Facebook page. Each day, parents could post a story about their connection to Cabbage Patch Kids for a chance to win a doll. The simple submission process invited families to share memories and photos, building a little online community around a beloved toy.
On November 16, exclusive parties would light up six Toys R Us locations across Canada: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, and two stores in the Greater Toronto Area— Vaughan Mills and Sherway Gardens. Children could have their pictures taken with the dolls and receive a customized Cabbage Patch Kids frame; the stores also offered special pricing on the dolls, inviting families to relive or discover the classic toy together.
Cabbage Patch Kids then announced a partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, aligning the 30th anniversary with a season of generosity. The foundation, also celebrating its own milestone this year, received a $5000 donation and a commitment to ongoing collaboration in toy-driven fundraising and experiences for Wish families.
After the press conference, young participants were invited to the front of the conference area, where dolls waited to be picked from a themed garden. Each child chose a doll to keep, taking home a keepsake that sparked smiles and stories for years to come.