The Big Reveal: Rod Serling Statue at Binghamton’s Rec Park

Binghamton parks and recreation department employees were joined by some Rod Serling fans in making final preparations for the dedication of a statue of The Twilight Zone creator.

The unveiling of the six-foot-tall statue in Recreation Park on the city's West Side will be the highlight of this year's SerlingFest.

City workers were busy working on various tasks around the park Friday.

Two brothers from Rhode Island who love The Twilight Zone television series also were in the park. David Giammarco polished a tarnished bronze "Serling" plaque in the bandstand. Paul Giammarco was at the carousel examining the gift given by George F. Johnson nearly a century ago.

The Serling statue was delivered to Rec Park about a week ago. After it was removed from a wooden crate and lifted into place by a crane, it was carefully wrapped to await the dedication ceremony.

According to the Rod Serling Foundation, the statue depicts the screenwriter and television producer "in an iconic narration pose familiar to fans" of The Twilight Zone.

The foundation raised some of the money for the $140,000 statue project from private donors. Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo helped to secure a $50,000 state grant to support the initiative.

The statue dedication and unveiling is scheduled for noon on Sunday.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: David Giammarco of Rhode Island polished a plaque honoring Rod Serling on September 13, 2024.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.