A DIVE BAR dinosaur has come roaring back from temporary extinction.
In the calm of a quiet Sunday morning, a 5-foot fiberglass velociraptor named “Dino” returned to its rooftop perch at Harry’s Banana Farm, nearly five months after Lake Worth Beach code officers forced the statue’s removal.
“It’s a great day in the history of Lake Worth! Dino’s gone back up,’’ said Gary Wilson, a Lake Osborne man who stopped his car to photograph the reascent, a 20-minute operation involving a ladder, rope and four volunteers.
“We can’t let the city bully that dinosaur,’’ he said.
Once part of an outdoor exhibit at Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach, the dinosaur sat on the dive bar’s roof at 1919 N. Dixie Highway for more than two years before being flagged last year for not having a permit.
To stem the financial bleeding from more than $15,000 in fines, longtime bar manager Lou De Stout took the dinosaur down in late March. It wasn’t long before the Keep Lake Worth Weird crowd roared with disapproval.
Dino took up temporary residence by the sidewalk in front of Harry’s and soon became not only an irresistible photo op but also a symbol of ongoing community frustration with overzealous code compliance officers.
Perhaps nudged by the dinosaur, city commissioners early this summer pledged changes, promising to conduct code compliance with a more business-friendly approach.
In June, the city dropped its case against Harry’s, a move that wiped away more than $20,000 in fines the bar had accrued.
But during the dinosaur’s three months on the ground, it became prey for rowdy patrons.
“Cigarette butts in the mouth. Whiskey bottles in his mouth. They broke two teeth off,’’ De Stout groused.
Then came a bigger blow: Someone busted off Dino’s front arms, necessitating a surgical repair job by DeStout’s godson, James Wellen.
“I’m the Dino doctor,’’ joked Wellen, who does custom painting and faux finishing for a living.
As Wellen worked his magic earlier this month, De Stout teased Dino’s “triumphant return” on Harry’s famous roadside marquee.
On Sunday morning, a four-man crew — De Stout, Wellen, Michael Charatz and Richard Migliacci — hoisted the repaired raptor to the safety of Harry’s rooftop.
As De Stout and Wellen bolted the dinosaur in place, Migliacci flew his camera drone overhead to record the action.
After posing for photos holding his city permit next to the dinosaur, De Stout offered a final take on the significance of Dino’s return.
“This is one small step for man, one giant leap for Florida Man!”
Let's hope that ElDub Code Enforcement can distinguish between what they need to do to keep residents safe vs. what they should do and what they shouldn't do so that ElDub retains its character. Well done on this one, a giant strep for Florida Man to be sure!
Yayyyyyyyy!
Thanks to all who participated in his recovery! And thanks to Keep Lake Worth Weird for spear heading the project! You all are The Best of what our country offers. Peace, Freedom and Justice to All.