The Fork in the Road returns to Pasadena

THE FORK IN THE ROAD IS RETURNING. !!!!

The Fork In The Road, which was so proudly displayed for six months at the intersection of St. John’s Place and Pasadena Ave. (third leg is Bellefontaine) in Pasadena, is returning in its oversized glory after a year’s vacation in Oz where it was brushed and polished by Munchkins and milk maids until it gleamed.

Now, with the blessings of the entire city government of Pasadena, which has embraced public art with enthusiasm. the gigantic piece of table cutlery returns to its rightful place at the above intersection now known as Fork Plaza.

Originally designed and built by artist Ken Marshall as a birthday surprise for his partner at The Coffee Gallery Backstage, Bob Stane, The Fork, approximately 18 feet of silvery glory, mysteriously appeared on Bob’s birthday, two years ago, towering over traffic at Fork Plaza. When coming to a fork in the road, definitely take one path. And unknown thousands of drivers, had their daily commutes enlightened by an outsized decision. With smiles on their faces they all made the right choice.

Life can be good when The Coffee Gallery Backstage and misbehaving trolls and elves don’t take it seriously.

After a six month grace period, The Fork was removed and refurbished to meet the engineering standards of the city. A new concrete footing was installed. It is now permiited and has the blessings of all. Hats off to the City Of Pasadena and it’s government. Art, with tongue-In-Cheek, lives in The Crown City.

Now, a year and then some later, the second schedule of The Fork Raising is established.

The first phase will be the pre-party and will take place on
Saturday, October 15 from 4 to 9 P.M. at David Smith Construction 2353 Kellogge Court in Altadena.

There will be food, drink, live music supplied by The Coffee Gallery Backstage, and in the spirit of “barn raising,” guests are asked to bring a covered dish to add the the festivities. Burgers and hot dogs supplied by the hosts. Forks included. Bring a camera as photo ops of folks riding The Fork will be obvious. The Fork will have a saddle and be horizontal.

Questions: call Ken Marshall at (626) 712-9620. To add to the art theme, internationally known artist, Zofia Kostyrko. has designed a t-shirt to memorialize the event. The good times never end. Bob & Ken will autograph the shirts as requested.

The event is free. There will be a sly fund raising to cover future
expenses of The Fork but all donations are low key and voluntary.

Feel free to bring a beverage in a bottle to help launch The Fork into posterity.

The entire Fork In The Road Gang will be at the party, wearing name tags. They are
available to answer questions about their part in The Great Fork Adventure.

For detailed "show and tell" and to learn about The Fork: http://www.theforkintheroadgang.com/


The second phase will be the actual raising of The Fork at Fork Plaza (Pasadena Ave & St. John’s Place.). This will be resemble the flag raising on Iwo Jima. The first installation was done under cover of night. Now it will be dunked into the ground atop a fine concrete base in the full light of day. With hundreds cheering and bands playing the time is promptly at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, October 21 in plenty of time to make the evening news. Oh, the color, pomp and tingling anticipation. Men will shout, ladies might faint.

Full credit is given to sculptor, Ken Marshall, Bob Stane, of The Coffee Gallery Backstage, the far reaching good graces of The City Government of Pasadena and The Coffee Gallery Backstage (Altadena) for their cooperation and talents. Long live public art, humor and the music of the soul. Cherish The Fork In The Road. Few communities are so lucky as to have one.

We also wish to point out to the world how two linked municipalities, Altadena and Pasadena, can live "in peace and harmony, side-by-side, sharing a common border and have no standing armies or wars. All achieved by sharing art and, of course, a good coffee house." Let both cities join their names north and south, and stand by their fork.. It works for us.

Save your fork. There's pie. Questions: call Ken Marshall at (626) 712-9620.