I'm sad to see these go as they were a lot of fun to have around. Hey if you guys want to see something cool, check out the University's yard on Front St. I drove by it yesterday and they had a lot of the cows in their yard, set up as if they are grazing. I'm going to try to get down there later today and take some pics of it; hopefully that was not just a one-day thing.
Also, FYI: they are having a candelight memorial on the Capitol steps tonight for Reagan. I think that will happen around 8 pm.
CowParade approaches its last roundup
CowParade gets ready to go out to pasture
CowParade about to be put out to pasture
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
BY ZACHARY LEWIS
Of The Patriot-News
Grab your map, your kids and your camera.
In other words, moo-ve it.
Anyone still planning to tour the entire CowParade Harrisburg 2004 had better hurry.
Now is the last chance to see all 136 cows in their public locations. Starting next week, many of them will be whisked off the streets of Harrisburg, Camp Hill, Hershey, Carlisle and Gettysburg to be cleaned up for an auction.
That goes against the wishes of many who would prefer to see the cows stick around awhile.
"It would be nice if they were going to be in place a little longer," said Cyndie Pattison, a representative of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and the Capital Region Economic Development Corp. "This was a big draw to the area. ... I can tell just by the number of calls I've gotten."
That view was echoed by CowParade spectators walking along Front Street in Harrisburg yesterday.
"We wish they were here all summer," said Sheri Tolland of Hershey, who was spending her lunch break with her family. "They're leaving too soon."
Kurt and Colleen Ehresman of Mechanicsburg said their 2-year-old son, Daniel, will be "devastated" when the parade ends. "As soon as he gets in the city he says, 'Cows! Cows! Cows!'" Colleen Ehresman said.
While the herd has remained pretty stationary since being set in place in April, CowParade merchandise has been flying off the shelves.
Wonders, the arts and science store at Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, has been selling miniature cows, blank paint-it-yourself cows, CowParade apparel and other related items.
Yesterday marked the release of "CowParade Harrisburg: Celebrating the Heart of Pennsylvania." The 160-page book opens with a history of the CowParade public art phenomenon, which began in Chicago in 1999. A full-page color photo of each midstate cow is featured with its title, artist and sponsor.
Whitaker Center president Byron Quann and CowParade honorary co-chairmen Gov. Ed Rendell and Harrisburg Mayor Stephen R. Reed also penned remarks.
"Response to the book has been excellent," said Matt McGeary, assistant manager of Wonders.
Kathie Hughes, owner of Kathie's Christmas & Collectibles in Lower Allen Twp., said yesterday she had sold 200 copies with 500 more on order. "People want the book, and many are buying in multiples to give as gifts," Hughes said.
Some local bookstores have scheduled book signings with CowParade artists.
Each life-size fiberglass cow was decorated with some whimsical theme. Most of the artists who participated live and work in central Pennsylvania.
The project was organized as a fund-raiser for Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts.
Ellen Brown, an overseer of CowParade at Whitaker Center, said the project is being counted a runaway success even before the cows are auctioned. "This has gone beyond our wildest expectations," she said. "We are thrilled with the amount of attention we've received.
"Money is the eventual goal, but we are happy to have spotlighted so much talent and that so many artists had an opportunity to participate."
Once the first round of cows is removed next week, it won't be long until they're all gone.
The rest have only a few more days on display until they, too, will be put up for auction on the Internet or handed over to sponsors who have already purchased them.
Before going to auction, the cows will be gathered into the parade's "moo-ternity ward" so artists can repair any damage done by months of exposure to the rain, wind and small children.
One-third of the cows have already been purchased by sponsors for about $4,000 each. The initial average cost of sponsoring a cow in the parade was around $6,000.
The rest will be sold at an auction and gala at 6 p.m. June 26 at the Farm Show Complex, or online later. Each cow will have a different opening bid amount, Brown said, but each is expected to fetch $7,500 or more.
Tickets are $125 per person or $200 per couple. Artists who painted a cow may attend for half-price. Call 214-2787 or go to
www.whitakercenter.org to order.