|
 Featured
activities on Friday, May 24, include the arrival and installation
of a 24’ tall Texaco Big Friend giant, one of only six remaining
from the original 300 produced by International Fiberglass Company
in the mid 1960s. The Texaco Big Friend will be placed on the west
side of the American Giants Museum, directly next to Atlanta's
original 1926 alignment of Route 66. When in place, the Texaco Big
Friend will be 7' taller than the Museum building itself and 4’
taller than the Bunyon Giant on the next block. An original Viking
Carpet Giant will also be installed on Friday, May 24. The Viking
Carpet Giant will stand on a concrete pad on the east side of the
American Giants Museum in the Route 66 Land of the Giants Rest Stop
area, where its brother giant, the Snerd, is already located. The
public is invited to watch as these giants are put in place
(specific installation times to be announced the week before).
A Grand Opening ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Sunday,
May 26, at 2 p.m. at the American Giants Museum. The public is
invited to make it an afternoon event, as food will be available in
Atlanta’s Xenia Park (across the street) starting at noon. The
options available include a BBQ food truck, grilled ribeye, pork
chop and/or brat sandwiches from a sidewalk vendor, as well as meals
at Atlanta's Country Aire Restaurant and Chubby's Bar & Grill.
Missy's Sweet Shop at the Palms Grill Cafe will feature "giant"
specials made just for the occasion. At 12:30 p.m., Joel Baker, of
American Giants, LLC will be present for a Q&A session, to sign
autographs, and to offer several American Giant Museum related
souvenirs for purchase.
Throughout the weekend, visitors are invited to check out Atlanta's
other attractions including the J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum,
the Atlanta Coal Mining Company Historical Mine, the Atlanta Museum,
the Atlanta Route 66 Construction Exhibit, and shops.
[to top of second column] |
Additional details are provided on the American
Giants Museum website:
https://www.americangiantsmuseum.com/
The American Giants Museum was designed and developed as a
partnership between American Giants founder, Joel Baker, and the
Atlanta Betterment Fund organization. The project received
assistance from the City of Atlanta, the Illinois Department of
Tourism, and the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Program. Several
years ago, Baker approached the Atlanta Betterment Fund organization
with the idea of creating an American Giants Museum. Baker’s
collection of giants, sales materials, files, photos, and other
documents from International Fiberglass are the basis for the
museum’s exhibits, giving Route 66 tourists the chance to see, learn
about, and interact with what will be the largest single collection
of American Giants anywhere along Route 66.
The Atlanta Betterment Fund is a 501 (c)(3) organization,
established in 2008 through private donations and administered by a
board of directors. Its mission is to make Atlanta a better place to
live by supporting its business, civic, and religious organizations.
[Bill Thomas
Atlanta Betterment Fund]
 |
