"Fishing Snoopy" takes up permanent residence in Manzanillo

A special "fishing" Snoopy enjoys a place of primary importance in Manzanillo's town square. St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly and a delegation of 30 visited Manzanillo and presented the city with this distinctive gift, after becoming one of St. Paul's sister cities last fall. The statue of Charlie Brown's beagle is similar to those from the "Peanuts on Parade'' celebration, when 101 statues were placed around St. Paul in the summer of 2000 as a tribute to Charles Schulz, the late cartoonist and St. Paul native. The statue, which shows Snoopy holding a Northern pike in one hand, and a sailfish in the other, was presented to Manzanillo and its people as a goodwill gift, to honor the Sister City Partnership. Manzanillo is touted as being the "Sailfish Capital of the World."

The statue is sponsored in part by Robert Koens (far right in photo) and family in memory of his late in-laws, Ardis and Lloyd Peterson. Koens was instrumental in organizing St. Paul's sister city relationship with Manzanillo.

The Snoopy Statue was donated to honor the memory of Saint Paul's native son, Charles M. Schulz, and Lloyd and Ardis Peterson, Minnesotan's who fell in love with Manzanillo in 1969. The family still maintains a home in La Punta, one of Manzanillo's most exclusive areas.

Koens is also responsible for forming the original Colima Development Company that is developing a $400 million dollar project, "Viva Cascadas" "The project's homes will overlook the Bay of Santiago, and includes a salt water lagoon that will be preserved and protected through careful landscaping design.

 

Ambassador Snoopy is donated by their children: Val Peterson Koens, John Peterson and Steve Peterson who continue the legacy and love of Manzanillo. It is the only Snoopy statue residing outside of the United States. Snoopy is visited daily by hundreds of people and is a well known favorite among Mexican children, whose first word in English is probably "Snoopy"! The 6-ft. tall sculpture, designed by Wanda Mumm, and executed by Wanda Mumm and Armando Gutiérrez G., was financed by the family of Lloyd and Ardis Peterson. It was transported at no charge to Manzanillo by Sun Country Airlines.

“Fisherman Snoopy” is a symbol of understanding and friendship that has attracted so much attention in Manzanillo, he has his very own staff of friendly policemen guarding him 24 hours a day!

To see Snoopy when you visit Manzanillo, go to "El Centro," and you'll find him near the water behind the giant blue sailfish.