Artist Gregg Arnold, known for his large Giganticus Headicus tiki sculpture at the Antares Point Visitors Center northeast of Kingman, Arizona, unveiled a new “Guardian of Route 66” statue Saturday at the center.
Arnold took the cover off the 16-foot-tall statue shortly after noon with more than 100 people watching.
Arnold announced the statue a few weeks ago but kept the statue’s appearance and name under wraps until Saturday.
A total of 58 entries were part of a car show associated with the event, providing over $900 to a local nonprofit organization, Feral Cat Warriors.
The gala was part of the grand opening of the Antares Point Visitors Center and Gift Shop.
Antares Point is situated at the former Kozy Corner Trailer Court and the Ranchero Motel.
Grand Canyon Caverns about 40 miles to the east announced in 2016 it was leasing the property and opening a Route 66 visitors center there, but the caverns gave up the lease in 2019.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 shutdowns, Arnold cleaned up the property and remodeled the main A-frame building. Antares Point held a soft opening on Easter weekend this year. The store’s T-shirts, stickers and metalwork can be found online here.
(Image of Gregg Arnold and his “Guardian of Route 66” statue by Lisa McClung Photography, courtesy of Antares Point Visitors Center and Gift Shop)