Lelend Gets New Kermit Water Tower!

Drivers in Leland Mississippi will now be greeted by one of the town's most famous celebrities: Kermit the Frog.

LELAND, MS -- When the City of Leland was awarded a $1.2 million infrastructure grant through the assistance of Delta Regional Authority and South Delta Planning and Development District nearly three years ago, city leaders knew that the best use of the grant funds would be to build a new water tower on the northeast side of town.

“Our water infrastructure is old and only getting older,” said Leland Mayor Kenny Thomas. “We were very fortunate to be able to demonstrate that need to our legislators who helped us with funding for the new water tower. And, since, we have to paint it anyway, we thought it would be great to put our most famous celebrity on the sides of the tower.”

Once completed, the new water tower, located near the intersection of Highway 82 and new Highway 61, will feature the large, friendly green face of Kermit the Frog, designating Leland as the Birthplace of Kermit the Frog.

As you can see from the video below the water tower is now complete:

“We would like to thank our friends at The Muppets Studio for their guidance and approval of this project,” said Ashley Zepponi, Executive Director of the Jim Henson Delta Boyhood Home Exhibit. “It was a great opportunity to tout to the thousands of people who drive by the new water tower that Leland is where Muppet creator Jim Henson once lived as a boy and credits his time here as the inspiration to create Kermit the Frog.”

“As someone who was spawned here, I feel a close connection to Leland. And, of course, as a frog, I feel a very close connection to water,” said Kermit the Frog when asked his thoughts on the new Leland water tower. “So, it’s a double honor having my picture on the water tower where I can welcome people—and amphibians—to one of my favorite places in the world.”

If you're headed to Leland be sure to check out the new Kermit water tower and The Jim Henson Delta Boyhood Exhibit.