Pleasant Prairie's Haribo gummy bear water tower part of international 'Tank of the Year' competition

 

PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A sweet treat in Pleasant Prairie could put the Kenosha County village on the map. 

An international competition's underway and its beloved gummy bear water tower's already a standout. 

Fans of the gummy bear have more to love in Pleasant Prairie, with their 121-foot water tower featuring a 23-foot gold bear at the base and a trail of colorful gummies on the stem.

"The tank can be seen from the Interstate 94, which sits directly next to the Haribo facility, and much like Haribo as a brand, they celebrate childlike happiness. It's no surprise that the tank embodies that as well," said Sarah Howard, VISIT Pleasant Prairie executive director. 

Howard is hoping people like it so much they jump online and register a vote in the annual Tank of the Year competition, which includes over 100 entries from the US and Canada. 

"The project took a couple of months, and as such, we shared the progress the muralist was making, and the engagement the community had, and visitors, was excitement," said Howard. 

This is actually Pleasant Prairie's fifth and most recent water tower. Another one's way back in the distance, and both are now needed because of all the recent development in the village. 

The tower was built last year. It holds about 500,000 gallons of water and was painted this spring by well-known muralist Eric Henn. He's working on his latest project, but we connected by phone.

"I am one of the crazy people that love to work hundreds of feet in the air," said Henn. 

Henn's career has spanned decades. Pleasant Prairie's entry is currently ranked seven in the contest. He also has the top two entries -- both also food and beverage related. 

"I like it, I mean it was fun to paint such a well-known character, you know the gummy bear and even the gummies, it's very colorful," said Henn.

Henn says Haribo satisfied his sugar fix while he was in town. He also left Wisconsin with another favorite. 

"I discovered this grocery store. It had, I don't know, 1500 types of cheese. I never had that good a cheese in my life," said Henn.

People's choice voting for the best Tank of the Year by Tnemec concludes on Oct. 13. 

To vote, click here.