Ayyyyy, it’s been 10 years

The Bronze Fonz statue celebrates an anniversary.

On Aug. 19, 2008, Milwaukee got what’s now one of its most “selfied” landmarks: the Bronze Fonz.

The life-size statue of “Happy Days” character Arthur Fonzarelli, aka The Fonz, is a must-see for visitors. Lake Mills-based artist Gerald Sawyer created the sculpture. Last year, Sawyer gave The Fonz a little update: He changed his pants from teal to blue.

The TV show was based in Milwaukee and ran for 11 seasons — from 1974 to 1984. “Happy Days” was so popular that it spawned several spinoffs, including “Laverne & Shirley,” “Mork & Mindy” and “Joanie Loves Chachi”.

The Bronze Fonz arrived with a lot of fanfare and quite a few celebrities. Henry Winkler, the actor who played The Fonz, came. He was one of the first to get a photo with, er, himself. He rode a car in a parade that went from downtown Milwaukee to Miller Park, where Winkler threw the opening pitch at a Brewers’ game.

Anson Williams (Potsie) and Erin Moran (Joanie) were there to celebrate. Cindy Williams (Shirley) and Penny Marshall (Laverne) were there, too.

But before The Bronze Fonz was solidified in Milwaukee concrete, it was the source of controversy.

The statue site was planned for three different locations before it settled on the east side of the Riverwalk near Wells Street.

Journal Sentinel art critic Mary Louise Schumacher wrote in 2008 that the Milwaukee Art Museum director came out against the statue. Two gallery owners were so adamantly opposed to The Bronze Fonz that they claimed they would close down their galleries if the planning went through.

Nevertheless, The Bronze Fonz and its supporters prevailed. Visit Milwaukee spearheaded an effort that raised $75,000 for the statue. Henry Winkler loves it.

Fans send him photos of them in Milwaukee with the Bronze Fonz. Those fans share their photos on social media, too, often mimicking the classic “ayyyy” and Arthur Fonzarelli thumbs up. The Bronze Fonz even has a Yelp page; it has 64 reviews, 48 photos and four stars. It has a Twitter page, too.

Winkler told columnist Jim Stingl, “It is a great honor. You cannot be blase about that, no matter how much time goes by.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS/CARRIE ANTLFINGER Actor Henry Winkler (from left) poses with his sons Max Winkler and Jed Weitzman at the Aug. 19, 2008, unveiling of the bronze statue of TV character Arthur Fonzarelli, aka “the Fonz.” The Fonz’s program, “Happy Days,” ran from 1974 to 1984 and was based in Milwaukee. More photos at jsonline.com/entertainment.