New Lucille Ball Statue to Be Unveiled After 'Scary Lucy' Upsets Fans

— -- A new Lucille Ball statue will be revealed on Saturday on what would have been the "Queen of Comedy's" 105th birthday.

The bronze figure was sculpted over the course of nine months by New Yorker Carolyn Palmer, after fans grew upset by the unveiling of a 2009 statue of the iconic red head that had been dubbed "Scary Lucy."

Palmer told ABC News that she won a national competition held by the village of Celoron, New York, and was chosen to create a new Lucille Ball statue.

The piece will sit 75 feet away from the former one, in Lucille Ball Memorial Park.

For years, village residents and "I Love Lucy" fans were bothered by the first statue.

"They don't see the woman that they all love from their hometown," Palmer said, adding she's glad the statue will remain in the park.

"I think it's a nice story," she said. "I think it's nice to have her still there."

Palmer's past projects include sculptures of Pope Francis, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, Orville and Wilbur Wright, and Thomas Jefferson.

She researched the Lucy project by watching episodes of "I Love Lucy," including the appropriately titled, "Lucy Becomes a Sculptress"

Palmer also hired models to pose in 1950s-style dresses, she said.

"I think some people might imagine her to be the wild, silly Lucy and I feel I portrayed her as more of the glamorous and somewhat playful Lucy," Palmer said of the new structure. "I feel that I embodied a proud Lucy that's confident."

The new Lucy sits on a granite base where fans can step up and take photos with her.

For those who have gotten an early glimpse of the statue, Palmer said they are more than pleased.

"They hug me and say, 'Thank you, thank you, thank you!'" she said. "They are all excited. They love her so far. The response I'm getting is just heartwarming."

The statue will be unveiled Saturday at noon in the park where Lucy played as a child.

In addition, cupcakes will be handed out in celebration of the late star's birthday.