Evel statue for Uptown?
Group launches fundraiser
By Justin Post of The Montana Standar - 07/28/2009
A new "larger-than-life" figure may be joining next year's Evel Knievel Days.
A group has launched a fundraising effort to place a statue of the king of all daredevils in Uptown Butte.
Bill Rundle, who was a longtime friend of the daredevil and former organizer of Evel Knievel Days, said the statue would be a tribute to Knievel while also attracting visitors to the Mining City.
"I think he should be honored that way, and I think putting it in the Uptown area is a good place for it," he said.
Rundle is working with artist Rick Rowley on the project and miniature replicas of the statues are being offered for limited sale to fund the effort.
Mark Lodmell works for Rowley and attended Evel Knievel Days where he had replicas on display and pitched them to festival-goers.
He estimates it will cost roughly $80,000 to build the statue, and agreed that Uptown Butte would be the best location.
"This is the last thing I want to get done in Evel's memory, so we're going to work our asses off to get it done," Rundle said.
He said proceeds from the replica sales will help fund the statue, which could be unveiled before next year's Evel Knievel Days.
The statue and replicas depict Knievel riding a wheelie on his Harley Davidson with his cape blowing behind his back.
Being offered for sale are 200 resin sculptures and 35 bronze versions. Lodmell says the mold will be broken when all sales are finalized.
While the statue built in Butte by Rowley would be "larger than life," he said the replicas are about a foot high and 18 inches wide.
"Everything is limited edition," Lodmell said.
Resins cost $200 each, which includes shipping within the United States while the bronze versions come with a $1,900 price tag and $100 shipping fee, he said.
Rundle said donations also are being accepted and that a plaque would be placed on the statue to thank the larger donors.
For details, contact Lodmell at (928) 899-1716 or e-mail marksells@yahoo.com or contact Rowley at 362-3322 or e-mail lostartis@yahoo.com.
