DAPHNE, Ala. — A statue of the wood nymph, Daphne, will be unveiled at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow at “Coffee with the Mayor.”

The work is a creation of local artist Fran Neumann. She was first approached by Ceann Wachter, owner of The Frame Corner, and Debbie Criegler about six years ago. They felt there was a need for something on Main Street that helped distinguish City Hall, according to Jane Robbins, assistant to Mayor Fred Small.

It took about a year for Neumann to complete the sculpture, according to Robbins, who said it’s a coincidence that the statue will be displayed the same week as Daphne celebrates the Eastern  Shore  Chamber of Commerce’s 20th Annual Jubilee Festival.

“I can’t take credit for that,” Robbins said. “We’re just glad it worked out that way.”

In Greek mythology, a wood nymph was a nature spirit who took the form of a beautiful young woman. It was believed that she lived only as long as the tree she inhabited.

According to mythology, Daphne was the sun god Apollo’s first love. He saw Daphne running in the woods and became infatuated with her, but Daphne enjoyed her freedom and didn’t want to be in a relationship with the sun god.

When Apollo chased her through the woods, Daphne came upon a tree where she called out to her father Peneus—a river god—to help her.

Her feet became rooted to the ground, bark enclosed her and leaves grew from her body, according to legend, which says that Daphne was transformed into a laurel tree.

The laurel on the head of the Daphne statue is a symbol of honor.

“We are thrilled to have Daphne unveiled in front of City Hall in the fountain where she will remain,” Small said in a statement. “This has been a dream for the Downtown Redevelopment (Board) for a long time”.

Following the unveiling, “Coffee with the Mayor” will outline upcoming events for the next few months.  Starting off with this weekend’s Jubilee Festival — Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (See the Daphne Bulletin’s Jubilee Festival guide, pages 2-3A).

Other activities include the city’s Celtic Celebration, the first Veterans Day Parade, the Christmas tree lighting, community dances and Daphne Public Library and senior citizens’ events.