We've had the Manchester bees and the snowmen at Salford Quays, now it's Blackpool's turn to play host to its own art trail.
The seaside resort will be welcoming 30 Elmer the Patchwork Elephant sculptures as part of the event from Wild in Art.
Inspired by David McKee’s beloved children’s book character, each large sculpture will be uniquely decorated by established and up and coming artists, creating a parade through the town that will be enjoyed by visitors and locals for eight weeks.
A herd of smaller Elmers will accompany the trail, decorated by local children and young people through schools and youth organisations. They will be displayed inside some of the town’s tourist, cultural and leisure locations.
Brian House, the Fylde coast’s only children’s hospice, has announced Blackpool’s first major public art trail in partnership with Wild in Art and Andersen Press.
They'll be sponsored by businesses and organisations and be placed around key landmarks, streets, and open spaces in across Blackpool, with visitors encouraged to visit as many as possible.
Once the trail has finished, the sculptures will go up for auction to raise vital funds for the hospice's specialist care to their patients and their families.
After the trail, the sculptures will go up for auction to raise vital funds to support Brian House’s specialist care to patients and their families.
It won't be happening just yet, the trail arrives for spring 2024, but there's already a lot of excitement about the event.
Linzi Warburton, head of fundraising at Brian House, said: “We have kept this a secret for a long time and now we are so excited to share this news with everyone.
“Elmer is a much-loved character and represents kindness, differences, acceptance, and friendship. There’s no other beloved character like him which celebrates the differences that make our children so very special.
“Elmer’s Big Blackpool Parade is the largest event we have ever organised, and we are delighted to be partnering with Wild in Art and Andersen Press with their expertise and advice.
“We hope people from Blackpool and beyond are as excited as we are and join us in celebrating this incredible character and how he represents the children we are privileged to care for. Not only will this art trail do great things for our community, but it will raise vital funds and awareness for our incredible children’s hospice which is a lifeline for local families.”
Charlie Langhorne, managing director and co-founder of Wild in Art, said: “Elmer will bring colour and creativity to Blackpool next year and we are thrilled to be teaming up with Brian House and Andersen Press on this exciting art trail.
“Our events are designed to bring the enjoyment of public art to everyone while offering new ways for people to explore their local area and we hope that, through the trail, we can inspire businesses, the creative sector and the wider community to come together to create something very special which will have significant impact.”
Paul Black, PR and brand director at Andersen Press, said: “Everyone at Andersen Press is delighted to be working with Brian House and Wild in Art to bring Elmer to the seaside.
"These events are hugely special, community-driven spectaculars which can bring people together with something fun and engaging for everyone. I look forward to seeing the creativity of Blackpool come to life with the help of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant next year."
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