The beloved bronze sculpture of Francis the pig has returned to downtown Red Deer with significant upgrades following vandalism concerns. The updated artwork was officially unveiled on Friday, August 29, marking the culmination of a year-long restoration project that reinforced the sculpture with a more secure foundation.
Francis the pig became a local legend in 1990 when he dramatically escaped from a local butcher shop by jumping over a 4-foot enclosure. The enterprising pig remained on the run for five months, foraging in parks around West Park and capturing the hearts of residents while evading capture attempts. His story became a media sensation that extended far beyond Red Deer's borders.
"School children and animal lovers rallied for his safety, sending letters and cards to Red Deer city council begging for him to be spared and live out his days," explained Colleen Sharpe, culture and social community development coordinator with the City of Red Deer. Francis eventually died from injuries caused by a tranquilizer dart, but his legacy has endured for decades.
The pig's influence has reached international proportions, with Sharpe recently discovering a vegetarian food truck in Minneapolis, Minnesota, named after Francis. "On their 'about' page they have photos of those letters from the school children in Red Deer, Alberta. It's a vegetarian food truck... His story lives on internationally," she noted.
In 1998, Francis was immortalized as part of Red Deer's Public Art Ghost Collection, one of the largest life-size bronze sculpture collections in Canada. Artist Danek Mozdzenski created the original sculpture, which became a cherished landmark for both longtime residents and newcomers to the city. "The Ghost Collection is special for people new to Red Deer or those who have been here for a long time. They can learn the legends of the people and animals who helped shape Red Deer," Sharpe said.
The sculpture faced its own challenges in 2023 when city officials discovered damage to the four thin posts that anchored Francis to the ground near the Central Spray and Play, close to the intersection of 47A Avenue and 48 Street. "It looked like someone had been sawing into it. It was a little worrying, so we took him away to be safe," Sharpe explained. The vandalism prompted city officials to remove the sculpture temporarily while planning comprehensive security improvements.
The city enlisted original artist Mozdzenski to design and create an enhanced foundation system that would better protect the sculpture from future vandalism attempts. The artist spent the past year developing the new base, which required significant engineering to ensure both security and aesthetic appeal.
During the unveiling ceremony, Mozdzenski reflected on the sculpture's deeper meaning: "Francis took great initiative in the face of overwhelming adversity. There's a lesson there for all of us. Taking the plunge can make all the difference in the world. Let him live on as a shining example. In my sculpture, Francis is still running and forever free."
The restored sculpture has been relocated from the north side of the Central Spray and Play to the east side of the facility. City staff determined that the park remained the optimal location for Francis, considering its popularity with families and accessibility to various community groups. "The children at the spray park love having Francis here," said Sharpe. "It's also close to the Golden Circle for our seniors. It's close to the Recreation Centre too."
The new placement offers enhanced visibility and security features that should deter future vandalism attempts. "By moving it next to the path near 47A Avenue, it's near the condominiums, it's very visible and well lit. We wanted it to be in a location where no one could sneakily do any damage to it in the future," Sharpe explained. The installation required heavy machinery, with crews using a crane to position the sculpture on its reinforced foundation. "But I do think with the new base, that'd be very difficult. We needed to use a crane to get it here. It's so much stronger," she added, expressing confidence that the enhanced security measures will protect Francis for future generations to enjoy.
