Detail of the Booming Prairie Chicken statue at Rothsay, Minnesota - The bronze plaque states: Prairie chickens moved ahead of the settlers to inhabit the prairies of Minnesota. A large concentration of this protected bird can still be seen on the prairie meadows of the Rothsay area. In the early spring the male prairie chicken performs his mating ritual called booming. He spreads his wings and tail feathers, inflates the orange wind sacs and struts while making the booming sound. On June 10, 1975, Rothsay was designated “Prairie Chicken Capital of Minnesota.” The statue of the booming prairie chicken was designed and built by Art Fosse with assistance and funds from the community. The statue stands 13 x 18 feet and weighs 9000 pounds. It was placed on this site and unveiled, June 15, 1976. The objective of this project is to alert area visitors and remind local residents of the beauty to be found on the native prairie grasslands. Rothsay Centennial Committee 1983
