Westport’s Giant Banana Mystery Finally Solved

An unusual Westport mystery has finally been solved.

Two weeks after going missing, a giant six-to-seven-foot banana has been safely returned to its rightful owners along South Watuppa Pond, and the story behind it is as delightfully strange as it sounds.

The Banana’s Strange Journey Begins

The saga began shortly after the Fourth of July when Westport resident Leslie Valente stumbled upon the enormous banana washed ashore on Watuppa Pond. Amused, she posted photos on Facebook, hoping to reunite the odd float with its owner.

The banana’s owners were eventually identified as Junice and Paul Peloquin, who live by the South Watuppa cove area. While Paul was eager to get it back, Junice jokingly wished the banana would have stay lost.

“The banana belongs to my husband, Paul Peloquin. I detest it and hope it remains lost, but he would like it back,” Junice wrote online.

The Tale of the Giant Watuppa Banana

As it turns out, the banana had quite the history.

According to Junice, someone originally placed it on their dock as a prank. Paul embraced the silliness, setting it up on an Adirondack chair. That’s when the neighborhood got involved.

“Someone added a fishing pole, jewelry, a shirt with the logo of a place Paul worked at 25 years ago, and even a knitted Fourth of July hat, all done under the cover of darkness,” Junice said. “We even started getting banana-themed cards in the mail! A neighbor finally admitted to adding the clothing and jewelry, but we still don’t know who first left the banana.”

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A Happy Reunion – For Some

Finally, after more than two weeks adrift, the mammoth-sized fruit made its way back home via dinghy, safely returned to the Peloquin’s dock, where Paul happily welcomed it back.

As for Junice, she might secretly be hoping the banana takes another adventure soon.