He's big. He's tacky. He's ours.
Mr. P.G. may not be pretty to look at but he's an icon of this city that should remain right where he is, at the junction of the two major highways bisecting the city, so that there is no way travellers can miss him as they visit and pass through Prince George heading elsewhere.
Prince George has produced Stanley Cup winners and Juno Award-nominees, world-class dancers and musicians, but none of them are as famous as Mr. P.G.
He's been immortalized in song (Al Simmons), in art (Theresa Sapergia) and on a Canada Post stamp highlighting Canada's best roadside attractions.
And just to show he's connecting with the kids, he has his own Facebook page.
Built in 1960, Mr. P.G. was once mobile. He took part in May Day parades and represented Prince George during parades at the Kelowna Regatta and the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver. His greatest moment on the road was an appearance in the 1963 Grey Cup Parade.
During those days, his mouth moved and he could talk.
He's been silent for a long time, standing there in rain or shine, winter or summer, at the highway junctions, welcoming visitors and residents alike with that endless smile.
His silence shouldn't be confused with not making statements.
He has dressed up as Gene Simmons of Kiss and he has worn a sweater in the dead of winter for National Sweater Day. He hoisted a Japanese flag to remember the victims of last year's tsunami and he's held a giant toothbrush to promote dental health. His face has been blue and he's welcomed the nation's top curlers hoping to qualify for the Winter Olympics by waving a broom at them.
He smiles for the visitors
