Where to see the city’s rocket sculptures in the same place before they take off for good
ALL 40 of the spectacular Rocket Round Leicester rocket sculptures will be on display at the National Space Centre on October 9 and 10, offering a last chance to see them.
They will be joined by the 38 junior jets which have also formed part of the Rocket Round Leicester art trail, seen throughout the city for the past 10 weeks.
The trail was brought to Leicester by Loros hospice together with art event producers Wild in Art. The rockets will be gathered together for the last time before being auctioned off in aid of Loros.
Tickets are available now for the weekend display, sponsored by the University of Leicester.
Rockets include the Blue Army rocket, sponsored by Leicester City Football Club, the Richard III rocket king and Bogswamp, a giant blue monster.
Laura Betts, Loros fund-raising manager, said: “Our farewell weekend is the perfect opportunity to catch any rockets you may have missed, and say goodbye to your favourites!
“You can also unlock any missed rewards on the app and snap that perfect selfie.”
Many of the artists who painted the rocket sculptures will be on hand to answer questions and talk about the inspiration behind their designs.
All ticket proceeds will go to support Loros patient care. Each year the charity helps more than 2,500 people, delivering free care and support to terminally-ill patients, their families and carers, a service which the charity must raise £8.4 million each year to provide.
Laura said: “The trail has been a smash-hit with the people of Leicester, bringing the community together after 18 months of isolation. The rockets have taken us on a voyage of recovery as well as discovery.
“Now we’re inviting everyone to come along to say farewell to these magnificent rockets and raise funds for your local hospice in the process.”
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “The rocket trail has been a colourful and captivating highlight of summer in Leicester, and I’m delighted that we could host it and support Loros in their incredible work.
“Seeing all of the rockets in one place for the first and last time will be a spectacular sight, and I’m sure many people will snap up the chance to do this and to help raise funds for their local hospice.”
Simon Jenner, director of BID (Business Improvement District) Leicester, said: “It’s been fantastic to see people of all ages in the city centre enjoying the Rocket Round Leicester trail.
“The additional footfall in the city has been a great boost to our local businesses during the summer months.
“The farewell event is a great opportunity to see all the sculptures one final time in an out-of-this-world setting, all whilst raising money for a good cause.”