MINNIE - THE MINNEAPOLIS LAKE MONSTER

Minne the lake monster from Minneapolis, Minn.

This is one lake monster that knows a thing or two about self-promotion -- it uses Twitter and Facebook to let people know where it's going to show up.

Say hello to Minne, the Minneapolis version of the Loch Ness Monster. Sort of.

With summer not too far off, a yearly phenomenon is rearing its long slimy neck out of several Minneapolis area lakes. And it looks remarkably like a famous 1934 photo of what is said to be Scotland's legendary Loch Ness Monster.

But Minne -- sorry to deflate all true monster believers everywhere -- is, in fact, a work of art that made its first appearance in Lake Harriet back in 2009, according to WCCO-TV.

Read on...

LAKE HARRIET MONSTER

According to http://www.lakecreature.com/: 'Once upon a time, in a far away land, a young Lake Creature left her parents' nest and went searching for a home of her own. "Where will I live?" thought the Lake Creature as she began her adventure. "It must be someplace very special. It should be friendly and beautiful. It should have lush green landscapes, fragrant flower beds and scenic byways. And most of all, of course, it must have lakes – lots and lots and lots of lakes!"

Suddenly, on July 8th, 2009, the mysterious Lake Creature appeared on Lake Harriet in Minneapolis!'

On Wednesday morning, a dinosaur sculpture appeared in the southeast corner of Lake Harriet.

Minneapolis Park and Recreation officials say the project is not a city-endeavour but instead the work of a private group. That group is already advertising its website -- http://www.lakecreature.com/ -- and promising a big "reveal" on the website next Thursday.