Dragons Statue Unveiling

To celebrate the introduction of the dragons, Soderstrom planned a medieval-themed unveiling party complete with music by Barry Cloyd, who wrote a special song for the occasion. The crowd was astonished when the dragons displayed their smoke and fire-breathing capability. A blessing of the castle and its new protectors were blessed by Soderstrom's priest.

Conception: When Dr. Carl Soderstrom became the owner of the castle, it didn’t take long for him to realize that it was full of mystery. “There’s sounds, there’s footsteps,” Soderstrom said. “Sometimes, when you come by here, there’s smoke coming from the chimney...and there’s no one here.” Dr. Soderstrom said he never could find the source of the phenomenon, so about three years ago he started thinking seriously about doing something to protect his home and all who enter. " (Curry, Joellyn. “Iconic Grandview Drive Castle Boasts Fire-Breathing Protectors.” Courier Newspapers, 1 Nov. 2017)‍

He contacted his good friend, world-renowned sculptor Lonnie Stewart, famous in the international art world. Soderstrom originally planned lions as guardians to the entrance, but Stewart had the concept of a more dramatic display, involving smoke and fire-breathing dragons. That idea set in motion the idea of the dragons, which took Stewart to Las Vegas, where he contracted pyro-technician Ed Pratt. Pratt specializes in pyrotechnics and has worked with celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Garth Brooks and Vegas magicians Siegfried and Roy.

This complex process took years to complete and each dragon comprises of over 150 individual pieces. Kyle Chipman performed the fabrication of each component at the foundry with Lonnie Stewarts guidance. After two years of intensive designing and fabricating, the dragons were ready to be installed. Both dragons were made of galvanized bronze. The female dragon Allula, on the left, protects her nest of three eggs, while the male, Mosta holds the Soderstrom crest.

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"The Guardians at The Gate"

Composed by Barry Cloyd for the Soderstrom Castle Dragon Sculpture Reveal

1. Our names are ancient, the guardians at the gate
with stories scribed in flame across the sky.
When you meet me, you'd better bend the knee
or you'll deal with the fire in a dragons eye.

2. Every castle perched on high, needs a dragon at the gate
to guard the priceless valuables within.
Gold and jewels and the iron crown of fate
or the treasure of milady's precious skin.

Chorus: Standing proud before the wind, rain and snow,
wings outstretched against the sky.
Ageless, timeless in ancient tales foretold,
found our place on this castle look out high.

3. This breath of fire and this iron dragon's skin
are my ancient sword and shield to command.
Time and tide and the passing of this age
cannot not take away our fealty to this land.

4. And so we stand here as the moon is on the wane
or a storm is brewing in the West,
our vision stretches to the farthest of these hills
and the eye of a dragon, the eye of a dragon
the eyes of these dragons...never rest.

Chorus: Standing proud before the wind, rain and snow,
wings outstretched against the sky.
Ageless, timeless in ancient tales foretold,
found our place on this castle look out high.

My names are ancient, the guardians at the gate
with stories scribed in flame across the sky.
When you meet me, you'd better bend the knee
or you'll deal with the fire in a dragons eye.
Or you'll deal with the fire in this dragons eye.
Put your trust in the fire in this dragon's eye.