Return of the Barrel Monster

For those who may have missed seeing the Raleigh-born monster, now's your chance.

There are not just one, but two, Barrel Monster creations on display at this year's N.C. State Fair. The monsters were created by Joe Carnevale, an N.C. State University who was arrested in August when Raleigh police failed to find humor in the situation when Carnevale created the original Barrel Monster out of construction barrels and put it out on Hillsborough Street. He was jailed on misdemeanor charges of larceny and damage to property.

Carnevale ended up receiving community service for the incident, but not before he and the monster became a worldwide sensation over the Internet.

One monster is near Gate Nine at the state fairgrounds, while the other
is nestled amongst the garden displays behind the Flower and Garden
Show near the fairground's lake.

Neither of the two Barrel Monsters up on display are the orginial monster, which went back to Hamlett Associates, the construction company that owned the original barrels.

We're betting that some North Carolina families will be opting to have their family portraits taken with the Barrel Monster this year. Help prove us right.

We'd also like to hand it to Spencer A. Mangum, 10, of Raleigh, who chose the Barrel Monster as inspriation for his Pumpkin Monster entry into this year's pumpkin decorating contest. Spencer came if fourth, but it looked like he had some fierce competition. Check out Spencer's take on the Barrel Monster at the Exposition Center.

--- by Sarah Ovaska