Ceres to return to the Vermont Statehouse

A movement kept the spirit of Ceres alive while she was gone, but Friday, the goddess of agriculture will be put back on top of the Statehouse.

She stands 14-feet-7 inches and weighs almost 4,000 pounds. We are talking about the goddess of agriculture, Ceres, or at least a statue of her.

She will be lifted up to the top of the Statehouse at noon Friday.

Even though she's been away since April, she's been busy traveling around the world. It started as a playful post on Facebook that quickly went viral and started the "Ceres on a Stick" movement.

Brenda Greika is what some might call the unofficial official spokesperson for Ceres. Her passion for the statue is obvious and undeniable, so when the statue came down, Brenda missed it so much she took the picture that inspired the "Ceres on a Stick" movement.

"Just to see what she would look like back up there-- I missed her so much. I said, 'I'm going to put her back up there,'" said Greika.

Feeling inspired by the picture, she posted it to the curators of the Statehouse's Facebook page.

It inspired others. Next thing she knew, Montpelier Alive contacted her and asked if they could run with the idea.

"From that came Ceres on a stick -- the flat version," said Greika.

While the goddess of agriculture was off the dome, she traveled the world, but her absence was felt by more than just Greika.

"It's been kind of odd not having her up there. We've missed her dearly. We're glad she's returning," Vt. Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts said.

Thousands are expected to show up to see the new Ceres hoisted to the top of the Statehouse. In the crowd, you can expect to see an emotional Greika.

"When I look up at that goddess, I will think of all those people and all of those experiences and all of the wonderful things Vermont has," Greika said.

Sculptor Chris Miller also said Friday will be emotional for him. It took Miller about four months, but that does not include the planning process. So when it's on top of the Statehouse, he wants people to feel like they were involved.

"I hope people feel a part of it. It means a lot to the state," Miller said.

Since the beginning of this project, it's been open to the public. Miller says between 2,000 and 3,000 people have been by to see it and touch it while it was being built.

Ceres will be lifted at noon Friday, but starting at 10 a.m. it will be open to the public for pictures.