Don’t miss your last chance to see Snowdogs
FOR two months, they’ve been getting young children (and some adults, for that matter) squealing with excitement.
But the 100 Snowdogs have now gone from Cardiff ’s parks, streets and public buildings.
But this weekend, for three days only, you’ll be able to see them all in one place.
The Snowdogs Farewell Weekend will see the 43 Snowdogs and 57 puppies gathered for a final send-off before they are auctioned to raise funds for Tŷ Hafan.
Before going out on their walkies, each Snowdog was named and decorated with its own unique design by both amateur and well-known artists including Julien Macdonald and Steven Brown.
And WalesOnline also put its name to one of the cute canines – the fire-breathing snowdragon.
The fibreglass sculpture, which stands at 1.5m tall and was based on the legendary Welsh dragon, was positioned in the Royal Arcade, St Mary Street during the 10-week Snowdogs: Tails in Wales event.
Those who did the trail would download the Snowdogs: Tails in Wales app or follow the map that
was available in Tŷ Hafan shops. With the app, people could collect Snowdogs, unlock rewards, view their progress, add photos to the gallery and follow @Snowdogs Wales and using the #Snowdogs Wales hashtag.
And it’s fair to say the The Snowdogs campaign has been a great success with 210,902 dogs unlocked (Snowdogs and Snowpups), 6,573 apps downloaded, more than 16,000 children and young people engaged in the learning programme, 80,000 maps in circulation and 5,000 Snowdog selfies sent via the app, with lots more on social media.
The farewell weekend will take place all weekend and as well being your last chance to see all the Snowdogs together, the event will also feature children’s entertainment, crafts and Snowdog gifts.
Tickets are available in half hourly slots and are priced at £5 for adults, £3 for children (children under two don’t need a ticket). The dates are: Today: noon-6pm Tomorrow: 10am-6pm Sunday: 11am-5pm The event will take place at the Capitol Centre, Queen Street, Cardiff.
It will be on the first floor and will be fully accessible. Tickets are available at futureticketing. ie/client/tyhafan/
All profits from the Farewell Event will support the vital work of Tŷ Hafan, the hospice for children in Wales.
You also have a chance to bid to own your very own Snowdog as there will be a live auction taking place on Tuesday at 7pm at the Cardiff Marriott Hotel.
Internet bidding for the auction has already gone live and you need to go to www.brightwellslive.com/ auctionslive/view/4502
All bidders will be asked to pay a £100 deposit upon registration, which will be refunded in full at the end of the auction. Tŷ Hafan will then contact all successful bidders after the auction to take full payment.
More than 40 Snowdogs will go under the hammer so you could own any of them including Dog Bot, Life’s a Beach, Starry Night, Heatwave, Enfys, Butterfly Coat or Blackberry.
Julien Macdonald’s Honalulu could be yours as well as Local Lad, which looks suspiciously like Wales footballer Gareth Bale.
At the auction there will be surprise lots, guest appearances, hundreds of bidders and three hours of nail-biting excitement.
All profits from the farewell event will support the vital work of Tŷ Hafan, the hospice for children in Wales.