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Dunkirk's connection to King Neptune is timeless. As Diane Andrasik, city historian noted in an article Wednesday, the fountain was purchased by Horatio Brooks in 1883 from the J. W. Fiske Co. in front of the building. It weighed 960 pounds of a zinc composite, stood 7 feet tall, and cost him $500.
After years of wear and tear — and restorations that took place in the late 1990s — the statue is in good hands in Steele Hall at the State University of New York at Fredonia. While some in Dunkirk await a time that Neptune will be back in the city where he belongs, he will be making a unique appearance during Beach Bash this week.
Eric Jones of Eric Jones Studios has been hired to create the replica out of sand at Wright Park across from the Beach House Bar & Grille.
"The King Neptune fountain is a beautiful work of art," Jones said. "It will be very difficult to emulate such ornate craftsmanship in sand, but I'm excited and up for the challenge. I am looking forward to seeing the smiles on the faces of the folks in this wonderful Western New York community. What a beautiful spot for a sculpture!"
The project will take four hours for four days to complete with the final bronze painting and unveiling between 2 and 3 p.m. Saturday. Spectators are welcome but reminded to be considerate of the artist's limited time to recreate the well-known statue by not interrupting him too much.
Jones' work will be a great piece for an event that has always been well received by many in the region.