Giant Garden Gnome at Home in Iowa

I would like to take a road trip to Iowa to see this giant this summer, but it might not happen. It's a 6 hour drive from here. :(

http://www.kcci.com/entertainment/23101808/detail.html

AMES, Iowa --
Iowa State's Reiman Gardens is now home to what they say is one of the largest garden gnomes in the U.S.

Crews used a crane Friday morning to place the gnome in the garden and set his massive hat in place. The gnome is made from concrete and stands a whopping 15 feet tall and weighs in at more than 3,500 pounds.

A quick Google check found another large gnome named Chomsky in upstate New York on the Kelder's Farm. Chomsky is only 13 feet, 6 inches tall and stand in front of miniature golf course. Chomsky was believed to be the world's largest gnome.

Chomsky was officially inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records in 2007.

Reiman staff thought they'd have a record setting gnome, and it was when it was commissioned.

"We got about halfway thought this project and come to find out somebody in Poland had buildt one 2 feet taller than this one," said Andy Kautza, gnome sculpture.

Kautza said it was too late in the process to alter the giant steel cage supporting the gnome's massive features. It could have been a setback to the staff's record-setting plans without a little creative marketing.

"Poland has a 18 foot one, but it's made of fiberglass. So we have the world's tallest concrete gnome," said Teresa McLaughlin, of Reiman Gardens.

McLaughlin said the giant gnome is already getting a lot of attention, which is not surprising to Kautza who is used to stopping traffic when delivering his creations.

"People hanging out the window with their cell phone and their cameras and somebody will speed up and they'll take one from the front and then they'll slow down and they'll take another," said Kautza.

"There is some fun just putting your arms around him and getting your picture taken," said McLaughlin.

The gnome will be officially unveiled on April 22.

The gardens are located at 1407 University Blvd. near Jack Trice Stadium.