“Paris has the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben chimes each London hour,” sings performer Al Simmons.
“China’s famous for its wall, India, The Taj Mahal. The CN Tower may be tall, but Mr. P.G. tops them all,” he continues, introducing the key character in his song Mr. PG, recorded in 1997.
The track goes on to detail how the city of Prince George, in north-central B.C., built a giant faux-wood lumberjack to honour the community’s forestry roots and greet incoming tourists.
Today, Mr. PG is a registered trademark owned by the city, whose image adorns mugs, socks and T-shirts. He’s been featured on a Canada Post stamp, marched in a Grey Cup parade and even received the endorsement of rock band KISS when CBC reporter Justin McElroy held a contest to name B.C.’s best roadside attraction.
But now a …