Event seeks sponsors for 101 cows to be displayed throughout the county.
A bevvy of locally famous faces star in a new campaign spreading the word about CowParade SLO County. Event organizers are hopeful the entertaining ads will attract sponsors for all 101 fiberglass cows, which will be painted by local artists and displayed at various locations across San Luis Obispo County beginning fall 2016.
CowParade is an international arts movement that has appeared in more than 75 cities including Chicago, New York, Monaco, Rio, London and Tokyo. The number of cows on display and the length of time for the exhibit varies for each city. Once the exhibition concludes, cows are auctioned to benefit local charities including Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County, ARTSObispo and the California Mid-State Fair Heritage Foundation. Should they desire it, sponsors of individual cows may designate any charity they’d like their cow proceeds to benefit.
Local rancher Alan Vander Horst is leading the charge to bring CowParade to SLO County. “I first saw CowParade in Chicago in 1999 and I was hooked,” the dairy farmer said. “My wife and I have worked hard to get CowParade to visit SLO County because we feel it aligns perfectly with our region’s emphasis on art, agriculture, tourism and education.”
The sponsorship campaign features Phyllis Madonna of Madonna Inn, SLO County Sheriff Ian Parkinson, local community leader Dee Lacey, rancher and president of Norcast Telecom Networks Jeff Buckingham, Cuesta College President Gil Stork, Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong, former SLO resident and UFC champion Chuck Liddell, and actor Lou Ferrigno of “The Incredible Hulk” fame who resides part time in Arroyo Grande. The cast of stars had fun with the commercials and viewers can expect to see hilarious cow interactions and hear each star perform their best “moo.”
Cow sponsors choose their artist and cow location. Cows will go on display September 2016 and stay in place through May 2017. There are only 101 cow sponsorships available, and each costs $7,000. Sponsorship includes the blank fiberglass cow, artist stipend, installation and a statewide marketing campaign to attract visitors, among other benefits. A map of all 101 cows will guide onlookers to installations across the county.
Other sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information on cow sponsorship and benefits, visit www.cowparadeslo.com.