By Chad Koenen

Publisher

In the land of otters it seems only fitting that a larger-than-life otter statue would be the focal point of a new marketing and promotional campaign. Two new otter statues have been unveiled at a pair of Ottertail businesses, but more will soon be on the way to highlight the unique features and offerings in Ottertail. 

The new otter statues are custom made and may feature everything from a golfing otter to one drinking coffee, fighting fires or even reeling in a fish. The hope was if enough of the otter statues can be purchased in town they will help to become a new draw to the community during the busy tourism season. 

Ottertail Business and Community Association President and Ottertail Mayor Ron Grobeck said down the road people will be encouraged to take their pictures next to the otters and search for new ones that will join the community in the future. 

“It’s a fun way to promote tourism in the city of Ottertail,” said Grobeck.

Though on a much smaller scale, Grobeck said the otter statues could be a draw to the community like the Thomas Dambo troll statues in Detroit Lakes and Frazee.

“That’s kind of the purpose on a different scale. We are Ottertail city and we are the otters,” he said. 

Recently, artist Ben Semler visited with members of the Ottertail Tourism Board a few weeks ago and described the project that could provide a fun opportunity to promote both the community and the various businesses in town. 

“The idea is that it will catch on and when they see the product they will say ‘hey we want one too,’” said Grobeck. “Now that they are starting to show up they are really starting to peak the community’s interest.”

The hope is to continue to grow the program to have dozens of otters in action throughout the community. For example, Grobeck said there are already discussions of having an otter golfer at Thumper Pond and a firefighter otter at the fire hall. There could even be otters at the boat landing who are fishing, additional unique otters for a businesses, non-profits and more. 

If enough otter statues can be placed throughout the community, Grobeck said people may come to Ottertail to check out the statues and get their pictures with their likeness. That could lead to more tourism dollars being spent in the community and provide a fun family activity in town. 

Recently, Red Brick Boutique and All Seasons Heating and Air unveiled the first otters in action statues in front of their businesses. The otter statues are mounted on the ground so they cannot easily be moved or stolen and feature quite a bit of fine detail, down to the name on the side of the shopping bag and shirt on the otter. 

The businesses and non-profits can pay for their own otter statue and Grobeck said the Brainerd artist and tourism board have done their part in trying to keep the cost down to a few hundred to a few thousand dollars apiece, depending on the overall detail. 

Individuals and businesses who are interested in learning more about the otters in action statues are invited to contact artist Ben Semler at (763) 286-4642 or email Ben@Isawitinmn.com.