07/ 08/ 03 CowParade Coming to Harrisburg in 2004!

Contact:
Charles H. Armstrong
Cow Parade Harrisburg 2004
717/221-8201, ext. 2708

Tracy Pawelski
PPO&S
717/232-1898

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CowParade Coming to Harrisburg in 2004!
100 life-sized cows painted by artists to graze throughout the Greater Harrisburg region Governor Rendell welcomes four-legged ambassador

HARRISBURG, PA (July 8, 2003) – The world’s largest and premier public art exhibit is coming to the streets of Harrisburg and vicinity in the spring of 2004. Cow Parade Harrisburg will feature more than 100 “blank canvas” fiberglass cows which will be transformed into magnificent works of art by regionally-based artists and will begin grazing in high-trafficked public places in April 2004.

Cow Parade Harrisburg 2004, presented by Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, will showcase the creativity of artists and raise funds for Whitaker Center and area charitable organizations. Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell today helped event organizers launch next spring’s campaign with a call to action to artists and community leaders around the region to join the fun. A four-legged ambassador named M’udder Goose was ceremoniously unveiled with the pull of a cow tail and is expected to make special appearances around the region to personally deliver the whimsical message about Cow Parade to the area community.

“We want folks from Harrisburg to Hershey and Carlisle to know that Cow Parade is coming to the Greater Harrisburg region next spring. Today we are setting the stage to reach out to area artists, collaborate with schools and get our community leaders excited about this unique experience with public art,” said Byron G. Quann, President and CEO of Whitaker Center.

Following the press kick-off, everyone was treated to an ice cream social at Whitaker Center sponsored by Harrisburg Dairies and the Pennsylvania Association of Milk Dealers, representing one of the state’s leading agricultural sectors.

“As one of the capital region’s newest residents, I am delighted to see Harrisburg join the ranks of other big-city destinations with the inauguration of Cow Parade,” said Gov. Rendell. “Considering our love affair with everything dairy, Whitaker Center could not have picked a better Pennsylvania ambassador than the cow. Even our official beverage is milk!”

Gov. Rendell and Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed, who serve as honorary co-chairmen of the campaign, have joined forces with a growing list of Central Pennsylvania’s business and community leaders in bringing Cow Parade to the Harrisburg marketplace.

Forty-nine bovines have been sponsored as of press time. Harristown Development Corporation is the first organization to sponsor a herd while The Patriot-News has signed on as the event’s media sponsor. Other sponsors include American Dairy Association/Dairy Council Mid-East, Buchanan Ingersoll P.C., Capital Associates, Cornell Companies, Dauphin County Economic Development Council, Delta Development Group, Inc., Downtown Improvement District, Harrisburg Magazine, Harrisburg News Company, Holston and Crisci, IFR Furniture Rentals, Jack Gaughen Realtor ERA, Kathie’s Christmas and Collectibles, LAM Systems, Inc., Malady and Wooten Public Affairs, Partnership of Packer, Oesterling and Smith, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency/American Education Services, Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association, Shumaker Williams P.C., State System of Higher Education, Stevens and Lee P.C., Susquehanna Art Museum, Triad Strategies, Inc., Wanner Associates, and Wilsbach Distributors.

Sponsorships are available in various packages from a single bovine to a small herd. Interested parties should contact Ellen C. Brown at (717) 221-8201, ext. 2518 or ebrown@whitakercenter.org for further details.

Joining in the festivities was Jerome Elbaum, president of CowParade Holdings Company. “In communities as diverse as Zurich, Chicago and San Antonio, Cow Parade made history as one of their most successful art and civic spirit programs ever,” said Mr. Elbaum. “People simply fell in love with the cows. They encourage dialogue and connect people from all walks of life, forging a real sense of community. Harrisburg is the first U.S. capital city to participate and I am confident that the region will welcome its new neighbors and rise to the challenge of making this event a success,” he added.

The life-size bovines are approximately 8’ long and 5’ high and will appear in public locations from Harrisburg to Hershey and Carlisle. Pastures could include Market Square, Riverfront Park, the Capitol Grounds, downtown Hershey, and the square in Carlisle. Other potential sites include shopping malls, hospitals, farmers markets, and the airport and train station.

“Cow Parade has traveled around the world and thrilled locals and visitors alike. We are delighted to turn the spotlight on a thriving Harrisburg region and our array of artistic talent,” said Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed. “This public art event will be accessible to everyone and has the potential to generate endless community excitement and economic benefits.” Following the public art exhibition, the cows will be rounded up and auctioned for charity at a June 2004 gala event at the Farm Show Arena. Proceeds will benefit Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts and other local, not for profit organizations.

A Call to Action to Artists
The event has become a coveted competition for the best and the brightest artists in cities around the world. Famous artists such as Peter Max, Patrick Hughes and David Lynch have all shared their talent as part of Cow Parade.

Cow Parade Harrisburg 2004 is encouraging interested artists to become part of Harrisburg history by participating in this unique exhibition. Artists should contact Jeanne Thomas at (717) 221-8201 ext. 2521, or the Artist Hot Line at 1 (866) HBG-COWS (424-2697) for an application form and other information. Artist information also is available at www.cowparade.net.

Artists will be asked to submit designs for the unpainted bovines, which come in three forms — standing, grazing and reclining. Submissions will be reviewed to ensure they have a broad appeal, are appropriate for all ages and meet basic Cow Parade guidelines. Sponsors will have an opportunity to select their preferred designs for public display. Each artist who is selected will receive a $1,000 stipend and recognition for their work. The deadline for applications is September 1, 2003. All painted cows must be completed by January 2004.

Cows in School
Cow Parade Harrisburg is actively working on a special collaboration with area schools to engage elementary, secondary, and college students in this family-friendly art exhibition. The Cows in Schools program will support a three-dimensional approach to art education and connect our youth, their teachers and families in this unique twist to hands-on learning.

“What a great way to inspire the next generation to appreciate the value of art in our everyday lives,” said Dr. Glenn Zehner, Executive Director of the Capital Area Intermediate Unit about the Cows in Schools program. “Cow Parade is about having fun while learning and doing something good for the community. Everyone can appreciate and participate, right down to our youngest citizens.”

Why Cows?
While everyone around the world seems to be able to relate to these lovable animals and smile about the visiting cows, Pennsylvania has a special connection to cows. Pennsylvania’s top industry is agriculture, with the dairy industry generating $1.8 billion in annual revenues. More than 9,000 families operate dairy farms across the state producing nearly 7 percent of the nation’s milk supply. In 1982, milk was designated as the state’s official beverage.

Central Pennsylvania is a leader in dairy-related products including ice cream, chocolate and milk. Hershey Foods, North America’s leading confectioner and one of the region’s top local private sector employers, is the state’s largest single consumer of milk.

Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts serves as a center for scientific, artistic, cultural and educational activities in the Harrisburg region. Since opening in 1999, more than 1,000,000 people have visited Whitaker Center enjoying live music, larger-than-life IMAX® films, extraordinary informal science learning and diverse cultural expressions.

For more information on Cow Parade Harrisburg 2004, contact Charles H. Armstrong at 717/221-8201, ext. 2708 or visit www.cowparade.net. # # #

Editor’s Note: Photos of colorful cows from other Cow Parade cities are available to the media by calling Tracy Pawelski at 717/232-1898 or visiting the Cow Parade website at www.cowparade.net.

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