The City of Galesburg is honoring its native son, Carl Sandburg, with a sculpture of the poet alongside Nellie the Goat. On Saturday (4/30), the almost 10 foot tall bronze sculpture will be unveiled in Central Park as part of the 21st Carl Sandburg Festival.
Heather Norman, vice president of the Galesburg Public Art Commission, says the sculpture depicts Sandburg carrying a book with a guitar on his back, and with Nellie at his side. He grew up raising goats, so they were an important part in his life.
The sculpture cost 150-thousand dollars, all from private donations.
Norman says the idea for a Carl Sandburg sculpture in Galesburg came about 10 years ago from local artist, Pete Gorham.
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The Carl Sandburg and Nellie the Goat sculpture will be dedicated Saturday at 3 pm in Galesburg's Central Park.
This year's Carl Sandburg Festival started Tuesday and ends on Saturday.