THE BIG STAMPEDE
Hamilton is ready for the Big Stampede of exhibits
Hamilton is being overrun by a herd of safari animals this week but there’s no need to be alarmed! The colourful sculptures are part of The BIG Stampede event organised by Hamilton BID, with the animals set to take up residence in the area through the summer. The range of more than 100 sculptures will then be auctioned to raise money for Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children. The highly-anticipated campaign was launched by Hamilton youngster, Ben Dickson (5), a patient at the hospital, and Douglas Samson from the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. They are pictured with the Hairy Biker gorilla, Bye Gone Days giraffe and Albert III.
Hamilton is being taken over by a herd of safari animals this week as The BIG Stampede comes to town.
The event will see more than 100 colourful sculptures including elephants, lions, gorillas, giraffes, rhinos and baby hippos spend their summer in the town centre and surrounding areas.
Organised by Hamilton Business Improvement District (BID) and Wild in Art, the animals will be on display until the start of September when they will take part in a special auction to raise money for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.
And five-year-old Hamilton lad Ben Dickson – a patient at the Royal Hospital for Children –helped launch the art trail this week.
The animals are currently settling into their new homes and can be found at a range of locations, including Regent Shopping Centre, Strathclyde Park, Chatelherault as well as at numerous shops and businesses throughout Lanarkshire.
As part of the launch celebrations, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity is hosting a week of special events (from June 24 to July 1), kicking off with a family fun day on Saturday from noon at Hamilton’s Top Cross.
There will be activities for all the family with a bouncy castle, fairground rides, a photobooth, face painting, arts and crafts and music, as well as other entertainment.
Celebrations will be held throughout Hamilton and along The BIG Stampede trail to incorporate the majestic animals.
Each of the individual animals has been sponsored and then designed by an artist, commissioned from across the UK to create a one-off design specifically for Hamilton. The designs have been made using a range of materials and have been inspired by everything from food and drink to history and the environment.
This is the second time the town has held a Wild in Art sculpture project after hosting the popular Ready Steady Gallop campaign in 2014, which saw 25 giant Clydesdale horses and 30 mini ponies canter into town.
Gareth Walker, Manager at Hamilton BID, added: “It is absolutely fantastic to see all the animals in their new home and we can’t wait to share them with residents and visitors.
“A huge amount of work has gone into the trail, and it is exciting to finally share each wonderful piece of artwork as the animals proudly take up their new residence.
“Each artist has done an incredible job and with such an array on show, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The local pupils have created some fabulous designs and we hope they enjoy visiting their special sculptures on the trail.”
For more information and updates, visit www.thebigstampede.co.uk, follow @2017Bigstampede on Twitter, or find BIG Stampede on Facebook.