BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A massive new sculpture at the ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain pays tribute to Vermont’s most mysterious mascot.
The 30-foot sculpture of “Champ” is the first installment of an upcoming permanent exhibit opening in next year.
It’s modeled after a plesiosaur and took more than nine months to create.
Champ now hangs above the mezzanine, visible from every level of the science museum.
Creators say the goal is to inspire in visitors a continued interest in taking care of the lake.
“We do believe that there’s a chance that Champ is out there. And we hope to inspire people to look at the lake, take it very seriously, the health and quality of the water,” said Elliot Katz, the senior exhibit designer at ECHO.
The upcoming Champ exhibit includes opportunities to explore the creature’s cultural connections and historical evidence.
It’s scheduled to open in late 2025.
Watch the video to see our Katharine Huntley’s full conversation with Elliot Katz.
