The Green Giant Statue symbolizes the long-standing association between the City of Blue Earth and the Green Giant company, where peas and corn are still grown and canned today. Local businessmen donated money to create a statue of the Jolly Green Giant in 1978. It arrived by flat bed truck on September 21, 1978, and was erected on September 23 to preside over the Interstate 90 dedication. Hoisted in a sling by a 65 foot crane in the north roadside rest area, it stood where east met west, marking I-90's completion and representing a 3,028 mile nonstop route from Boston to Seattle. The statue was placed in its current location on July 6, 1979. Every winter it receives a red scarf from Santa to protect it from the cold Minnesota weather, and the scarf also pays homage to the old 1961 Green Giant logo, when the company first entered the frozen food market. The statue is 55 1/2 feet tall, made of fiberglass, wears a size 78 shoe, weighs 8,000 pounds, has a smile that stretches 48 inches, and cost $43,000.00 to manufacture.