Dignitaries and citizens gathered at Heritage Park for a special occasion Wednesday afternoon involving two majestic, metal sculptures.
The Sea Serpent, created by local artist Ron Baird, was reunited after 30 years with its companion piece, the iconic Spirit Catcher.
Both were created by Baird for the World's Exposition in Vancouver in 1986 and then returned to Ontario.
The Sea Serpent was acquired by Jean Sellers and installed at her Oro-Medonte property.
Her son Alexander, moved it to his Kingston home following her death and is now donating it to Barrie.
This week the massive monster became the city's newest public art installment with its permanent home on the north shore of Kempenfelt Bay within sight of its sibling sculpture.
"Sea serpents have magic powers," Baird told the crowd at the Serpent's official unveiling. "Their main characteristic is that they're lucky. The Sea Serpent has been lucky to every single person who has owned it."
Mayor Jeff Lehman called the Sea Serpent "Barrie's newest landmark" and said it is an "enchanting piece of art."
"Public art becomes the defining part of our identity," said Lehman.
The waterfront installation of the sculpture was made possible with the support of Pratt Homes.
Other speakers at the unveiling included Ted Handy, chairman of the public art committee, Karen Hansen, president of Pratt Homes, Alexander Sellers and MP Alex Nuttall.
"This creation now belongs to everybody here," said Baird. "All are beneficiaries of the luck it brings."
