Rhinelander - It was cold outside today, but indoors, summer preparations are in full swing.

Three fiberglass Hodags arrived in Rhinelander today, ready to be painted for Hodags on Parade in June.

Each Hodag weighs about 200 pounds and takes 38 hours to make.

They drew a lot of attention during the three and a half hour drive from Sparta, where they're made. Dave Oswald owns D.W. Fiberglass Co. and has made all twenty of the Hodag statues.

He says cars slowed down and sped up to get pictures of the Hodags in the back of his pickup truck.

Another sign of summer showed up at Forth Floral Greenhouse, where volunteers are working on 115 hanging baskets.

The baskets stay in the greenhouse until early June, and then go up on Brown, Davenport and Stevens Streets.

To sponsor a Hodag or a hanging basket, call Downtown Rhinelander, Inc. at 715-362-7374.