Happy Rock
Gladstone, Manitoba
This cheerful symbol of "Gladstone" (get it?) is an example of how clever towns can stand out on the map for the dumbest reasons. We like to think of Happy Rock as our Canadian Ambassador of Smiles. Designed by a schoolchild, manufactured by F.A.S.T.
Excerpts from a local paper, The Neepawa Banner, 1994, the year after the 15-ft. statue was built:
Gladstone Chamber of Commerce has great year
"Optimism combined with glowing success were the main topics on the Cof C annual meeting agenda in Gladstone."
"Outgoing president Keith Arthur reported 'You see the Happy Rock picture just about everywhere and people are talking about the Happy Rock. It appears that the Happy Rock is doing what it was intended to do.' Arthur thanked the Happy Rock committee and all the workers for bringing the Happy Rock site up to its present level."