Jolly Green Giant

Blue Earth
Minnesota
June  2008

And thus we come to Blue Earth, Minnesota.  A short distance off the interstate and there it is, just like in the pictures, the world’s largest Jolly Green Giant, all fifty-five feet of him.  Lisa says, “That’s an awfully large giant.”  I say, “Actually, that is a normal size giant.”

THE EARTH SO RICH THE CITY GROWS

That’s what they say.

The Jolly Green Giant — I wonder if he has a real name — lives on Green Giant Lane in Blue Earth, which is at one end of the Minnesota Valley, the very valley referred to in the jingle, “In the valley of the  Jolly ho ho ho Green Giant.”

Blue Earth, Minnesota gets its name from the Blue Earth River which winds more the 3/4 of the way around town.  The Dakota name for the river is Makato Osa Watapa meaning “the river where blue earth is gathered.”  But face it, “Makato Osa Watapa Whole Baby Cobs” or “Makato Osa Watapa White Asparagus” might not have the same sales appeal on the label.