City Times Staff

Motorists on Division St., just south of the Stevens Point YMCA, began to notice a large roadside rodent last week.

The larger-than-life squirrel, built from construction barrels provided by Mega Rentals, is one of what tourism officials hope will be many such artistic creations displayed throughout the county by Memorial Day.

The “Barrel Art Call” began May 2 via the Stevens Point Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and CREATE Portage County as a creative method to “promote our community’s creative spirit throughout this year’s road construction season”.

“With major renovations planned for both Interstate 39 and Business 51, road construction projects are expected to be especially trying for residents, tourists and passers-through,” a press release from the CVB read in part. “We are hoping that the right splash of temporary art will make drivers smile, encourage them off the roads (intentionally), or otherwise offer respite from the hassle of late-merging Illinois drivers.”

Motorists can expect the see all finished pieces throughout the area by the Memorial Day Weekend.

For more information on the project, call Sara at (715) 344-2556 or email [email protected]