Palm Springs, California is crazy for Marilyn Monroe, and they're showing their love in a big way. They are the new home to a 26 ft tall sculpture of the late blonde bombshell.
The huge replica statue was created by American artist and Johnson & Johnson heir Seward Johnson. The sculpture was inspired by the famous photograph by Bernard of Hollywood from the film The Seven Year Itch, in which Marilyn's dress is blown up by while she stands over a New York subway grate.
The ginormous statue is located at the corner of Palm Canyon & Tahquitz Canyon Way in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. It made its California debut in May 2012 and will remain at the location until June 2013.
The statue was originally on famed Michigan Ave in Chicago, where it was displayed for the past year, but it caused a lot of controversy.
The 26-ft-tall, 32,000 pound was moved in four different pieces and reassembled in the recently revitalized downtown Palm Springs. The move cost $100,000. The money came from private sources.
Palm Springs was an area that Marilyn frequented and Californians are more than happy to have her back. Hundreds of locals, Marilyn impersonators, fans and visitors are going to see the large tribute, some driving from hundreds of miles away.
There are several attractions and planned events revolving around the famous actress. Special events will take place in honor of Marilyn's birthday in June and the 50th anniversary of her death in August.
They can see Marilyn's star along the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her star is among 350 others. After checking out her star, visitors can shop like Marilyn and buy vintage clothing, jewelry, and Marilyn memorabilia at Vintage Design Palm Springs.
Visitors can also take a celebrity tour and see where Marilyn Monroe lived in her '50s bungalow-style house in the Las Palmas neighborhood. The tour will include stops to other famous homes that belonged to Elvis Presley, Elizabeth Taylor, and Frank Sinatra.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
