After ‘Scary Lucy,’ Ball’s hometown unveiling new statue

In this Wednesday, July 20, 2016 photo, artist Carolyn Palmer prepares to apply a cold patina to her bronze statue of Lucille Ball in Saddle River, N.J. The sculptor was chosen to create a replacement statue for one dubbed "Scary Lucy," in the late actress Ball's hometown. The much-maligned statue of Ball will be replaced after it drew worldwide attention as "Scary Lucy," according to the mayor of the western New York village where the 1950s sitcom actress and comedian grew up and her life-size bronze has stood since 2009. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) In this Wednesday, July 20, 2016 photo, artist Carolyn Palmer prepares to apply a cold patina to her bronze statue of Lucille Ball in Saddle River, N.J. The sculptor was chosen to create a replacement statue for one dubbed "Scary Lucy," in the late actress Ball's hometown. The much-maligned statue of Ball will be replaced after it drew worldwide attention as "Scary Lucy," according to the mayor of the western New York village where the 1950s sitcom actress and comedian grew up and her life-size bronze has stood since 2009. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

By Associated Press August 6, 2016 1 min read

CELORON, N.Y. (AP) – A new statue of Lucille Ball is being unveiled in the late actress’ hometown to replace one that was so hated it was dubbed “Scary Lucy.”

The statue by sculptor Carolyn Palmer is going public at noon Saturday in Lucille Ball Memorial Park in the western New York village of Celoron (SEHL’-ur-ahn).

The unflattering version by another artist was banished through a Facebook campaign with the name, “We Love Lucy! Get Rid of this Statue.”

The new statue is being shown as part of this year’s “Lucille Ball Comedy Festival,” which started Friday in nearby Jamestown. Festival headliners include comics Trevor Noah, Lewis Black and Brian Regan.

Celoron Mayor Scott Schrecengost says Scary Lucy remains an attraction and will be given another spot in the park.