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Marion, and surrounding Grant County, Indiana have erected a series of statues around the area depicting the comic strip character Garfield. The brainchild of local leader Pete Beck[1] (a county councilman at the time), the basic idea is to place a likeness of Garfield in each community in the county. It is hoped that as the project matures Garfield fans will travel to Grant County and make a circuit to see all of the statues. The statues are made of hollow fiberglass after private fundraising provides for the construction at each location. Native son and creator of Garfield, Jim Davis has donated the artwork to create the statues royalty free.

Statues have been erected at these locations:

Cool Garfield in Fairmount
Cool Garfield in Fairmount
  • First Fairmount, "James Dean Garfield" was unveiled in July 2006. He is dressed in cool attire, sporting an open-button collar and denim jeans, placed outside the Fairmount Historical Museum.[2]
Garfield eats popcorn in Van Buren
Garfield eats popcorn in Van Buren
  • Van Buren, as a "Tribute to the Popcorn Capital", Garfield was unveiled during the August, 2006 Popcorn Festival. Garfield is dressed in the athletic uniform of the now-defunct Van Buren High School "Aces."
Garfield boards the train from Sweetser
Garfield boards the train from Sweetser
  • In Sweetser, "College-bound Garfield" was unveiled in October 2006; the statue is located along the popular Sweetser Switch Trail after money was raised by the Sweetser Lions Club. This one is in place in front of the train. Unfortunately, this one was vandalized as its lower left arm was cut off, but the statue was repaired by summer 2007.
  • Marion's first statue, "Health and Fitness Garfield" is dressed in running attire sporting the colors of Marion High School and carries a water bottle. It was placed downtown along the Mississinewa River, at the start of the popular River Walk leading to Matter Park, in July 2006. This one was vandalized when a man hugged Garfield too tightly and the head came off. The head was discovered at the Mississinewa Reservoir, and eventually restored to its body. City officials have decided to move the statue to the River Walk Park, near Charles Mill (possibly by August, 2008).[3]
Dr. Garfield at the Marion General Hospital
Dr. Garfield at the Marion General Hospital
  • Marion's second statue is Marion General Hospital's "Doctor" Garfield unveiled May 11, 2007. He is wearing surgical scrubs, holding a stethoscope and resting one foot on a first aid kit.[4] Hospital staff members raised the money for this statue.[3]
Garfield plays basketball for Swayze
Garfield plays basketball for Swayze
  • The town of Swayzee erected a Garfield statue in June, 2008.[3] Garfield is dressed ready to hit the courts with the former Swayze High School Speedkings. His jersey number 9 represents the number of overtime periods played in the record setting basketball game against Liberty Center in 1964. Garfield stands on Washington Street, near Alumni Park and Swayze Elementary School.
  • The town of Matthews is completing plans for "Fisherman" Garfield,[5] paying homage to the local river and bridges. The town has a statue which they hope to place near the Cumberland Covered Bridge, but mounting problems have delayed the placement. Current hopes are to place the statue in August, 2008.[3]
  • Fundraising in the town of Jonesboro has produced "Firefighter" Garfield, commemorating that Joneboro was the home of the first organized fire department in the county. Town officials hope to place this statue in September, 2008[3] at 6 W Sixth Street, in front of the fire department.
  • The town of Upland is erecting "Ice Cream Lover" Garfield, to be placed near Ivanhoe's Restaurant, 979 S Main Street. The statue has been built but production problems are delaying its being completed.[3]
  • Gas City hopes to install "Gas Worker" Garfield, reminiscent of the natural gas boom at the turn of the 19th Century which made the city. Tentative location is at the corner of First and Main Streets, in front of the library. City officials hope to place the statue in Fall, 2008.[3]
Garfield plays golf at Arbor Trace Golf Course
Garfield plays golf at Arbor Trace Golf Course
  • Although not an official part of the project, in a similar vein Arbor Trace Golf Club commissioned a local chainsaw artist to carve a wooden Garfield statue which has been placed in the clubhouse. Garfield is nattily dressed in a duffer leaning on his driver.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Garfield statues coming to Marion County" (2006-01-09). Retrieved on 2007-05-12.
  2. ^ "America!" (2006-04-01). Retrieved on 2007-05-12.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Trailing the fat cat" (2007-08-17). Retrieved on 2008-07-20.
  4. ^ "Dr. Garfield unveiled at MGH" (2007-05-12). Retrieved on 2007-05-12.
  5. ^ "Garfield on his way to town, Fisherman design pays homage to local bridges" (2007-08-17). Retrieved on 2007-08-17.
  6. ^ "Garfield comes to life at local golf course!" (2006-12-06). Retrieved on 2007-05-12.

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