News Editor Lexington Tourism Adviser Mike Elder’s bee sculpture — which was vandalized and destroyed in May in east Kansas City — has risen from the ashes and is back for public viewing.

Elder spent weeks rebuilding the sculpture, which has found at least a temporary home at Main Street Park in Lexington.

Elder’s piece — part of this year’s Parade of Hearts — still carries the name “Bee Part of the KC Hive,” encouraging people to work together for the common good.

Following the vandalism, Elder said it would be harder to repair than simply starting from scratch, but he wanted the sculpture to bear some of its scars to show that, “we’re not perfect, just all a little damaged in some way.”

City Administrator Shawnna Funderburk commended Fair Board member Deb Bagley for assisting Elder in finding a place for the sculpture.

Funderburk noted the popularity of the 5-foot Parade of Hearts sculptures, adding “This is going to be huge for our tourism. These are hard to get.”

The Parade of Hearts, a public art campaign that started during the pandemic, aims to be a unifying force within the KC community.