‘Over the moon’ as Rocket Round’s art trail blasts off!
AROUND THE CITY
VISITORS to the city centre will be wowed by the sight of 40 giant artworks, as the Rocket Round Leicester event has launched.
The individually-designed, handpainted rockets have been dotted around the city, as part of the Rocket Round Leicester art trail.
Organised by Loros hospice, together with art event producers Wild in Art, Rocket Round Leicester will run for 10 weeks, until Sunday, September 26.
As Loros’ flagship fund-raising event of the year, Rocket Round Leicester will see these decorated installations steer a voyage of discovery across the city’s streets and open spaces like never before.
Standing at over 8ft in height, each rocket has been designed by an artist and sponsored by a business.
More than 35 schools and community groups have also joined the fun by designing and decorating their own miniature rockets – Junior Jets – as part of the Rocket Round Leicester Learning Programme.
Creating their own trail, these smaller technicolour artworks can be found across the city’s cultural hubs and Loros shops, including: LCB Depot; Leicester Museum and Art Gallery; Abbey Pumping Station; and the Guildhall.
Trail-goers are encouraged to pick up a Trail Map from the Rocket Round Leicester Trail Shop in Highcross shopping centre (upper mall) to discover all of the locations and complete the trail.
Visitors can also download the official app from the Google Play and App store to begin their quest in “unlocking” all of the rockets for rewards, such as giveaways, competitions for familyfun adventures and discounts for activities.
Alongside exploring the trail, visitors can experience 10 different themed weeks, from music, space, challenge and wellness to name a few. Themed events will also take place each week.
Loros’ 10km Twilight Walk is back with an out-of-this-world theme, alongside new challenges from a bungee jump and firewalk to an astronomical 100km Space Race.
Visitors can also escape to a magical world of cinema with Loros’ Outdoor Cinema weekend showing spacethemed films, as well as experiencing a unique opportunity to Send a Message to the Stars in remembrance of a loved one.
Following this, there will be one final time to see the artworks together at the Farewell Weekend on October 9 and 10.
Sponsored by the University of Leicester, all 40 giant rockets and miniature Junior Jets will congregate at the National Space Centre for a weekend of entertainment.
The grand-finale will see the giant rockets auctioned off on October 13 to raise money for Loros hospice.
John Knight, Loros chief executive, said: “We’re over the moon to bring the first ever sculpture trail to Leicester’s city centre.
“It’s an exciting venture for Loros as it’s our biggest ever fund-raising event and comes at a very important time for the charity.
“Rocket Round Leicester will help us raise significant funding towards the vital work of the hospice, meaning that we can continue to provide specialist care for more than 2,500 people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland every year.
“We’re also very proud to be helping to revitalise our incredible city and thankful to our partners and sponsors who have remained so supportive of the hospice and in making this massive event become a reality.”
Leicester City Council and BID Leicester have jumped aboard the event as Presenting Partners.
The city council’s director of tourism, culture and inward investment, Mike Dalzell said: “We’re delighted to be part of Rocket Round Leicester, which is set to be an out-of-this-world experience for visitors this summer.
“These stunning artworks will bring a splash of colour to Leicester’s streets and spaces as we launch our Summer in the City programme.
“We hope people will enjoy discovering all 40 rockets and will put their hands in their pockets to support Loros – a brilliant local charity.”
The trail will contribute towards delivering care services to the hospice’s patients and their families at the most difficult time of their lives. The charity largely relies on the generosity of the community to fund the care provided.
Rocket Round Leicester will help us raise significant funding towards the vital work of the hospice Loros’ John Knight