The face - beak and feathers - of Nottingham's Goose Fair will be 'flying' into the city next week to signal the countdown to the world-famous event.
Goosey will be coming out of hibernation and dusted off to take up her usual nesting place on the island in Mansfield Road, near the site of the annual fair at Forest Recreation Ground.
We say 'her' as the model is thought to be female but it's never been scientifically proven. The bird, made from fibreglass and timber, is about 6ft 6ins tall and weighs about a quarter of a tonne.
The mascot will be embarking on her journey on Monday September 23 at 9am, travelling on the back of truck from Nottingham City Council's Woolsthorpe Depot in Bilborough, where she resides the rest of the year.
A council spokesman said: "She is one of the council’s most treasured possessions. She’ll be having a bath before setting off on her journey on Monday morning."
Goosey has been flapping her wings at the same spot (often called 'the Goose Fair roundabout') for 41 years and will remain on her perch for the duration of the fair from October 2 to 6.
Last year she made a controversial fashion statement, sporting a sleeveless purple pullover to celebrate the city's Purple Flat status, but not everyone was a fan.
Goosey even has her own unofficial Twitter account, which has been dormant since her departure last October until this month.
So far she's revealed she can't stand that the fair's most popular food, mushy peas and mint sauce, and has been pestering Radford Road cops for a doughnut.
