Article Source: The Big Stampede
Last Updated: 17 September 2017 8:35
An art and tourist trail in Hamilton which featured over 100 animals and was enjoyed by tens of thousands of people this summer has come to an end after 10 weeks in the Lanarkshire town.
Organised by Hamilton Business Improvement District (BID), in partnership with Wild in Art, the free art tourist trail featured an array of giant animal sculptures that took up residence throughout the town in local parks, streets, shops and open spaces.
Each of the individual animal sculptures, which included elephants, giraffes, lions, gorillas and rhinos, were individually designed by artists commissioned from across the UK while over 15,000 Lanarkshire pupils were responsible for the bloat of almost 80 baby hippos that formed ‘The Little Stampede’. Designs included everything from a space suit wearing gorilla featuring an acrylic helmet to a giant Tunnock’s Teacake themed giraffe and a lion brought to life in thousands of pieces of colourful mosaic.
During their 10 week stay the animals attracted a lot of attention, with people travelling as far as Brighton to catch a glimpse of the beautiful beasts and almost 95,500 individual sculpture downloads on the trail’s app that allowed participants to find animals, collect trophies and unlock rewards and offers.
A survey currently being undertaken by Wild in Art, found that 75% of respondents were influenced to visit Hamilton as a result of The BIG Stampede while 63% stated that they had spent longer in the town as a result of the trail. Many people, both locals and tourists, visited the trail on multiple occasions with 85% of respondents visiting two or more times and as many as 31% seeing it six or more times.
Designed to bring businesses, artists, schools and the local community together, many of the animals took up residence in shops and restaurants and were displayed in the key shopping districts in the town as well as throughout many of Lanarkshire’s visitor attractions including Chatelherault Country Park, Strathclyde Country Park and even outside the grounds of Hamilton Accies.
With tens of thousands of people seeing the trail, The BIG Stampede helped support the local economy with many retailers, including Greggs, noticing a direct rise in sales.
Commenting on the trail, Scott Davidson, Manager of Greggs New Cross Shopping Centre, said: “The BIG Stampede was great for the town and it was a fantastic way to bring everyone together. In its first few weeks, our Sunday sales went up by 35% - this was as a direct result of us having a hippo which people came in to visit and tick off as part of the trail.”
Gareth Walker, BID Manager at Hamilton Business Improvement District (BID), said: “It has been a fantastic summer celebrating The BIG Stampede and we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone, both the local community and those visiting, that have supported and visited the trail, especially during some of Scotland’s more challenging summer weather spells.
“The BIG Stampede has been two years in the making and a lot of hard work has gone in to ensuring its success and on behalf of the BID, I would like to say a big thank you to all involved especially the artists, sponsors and local businesses. It has been brilliant to see the animals everyday throughout the town – they are certainly going to be missed.
“The baby hippos will be returned to the schools for the pupils to enjoy but for the larger sculptures, their journey isn’t over yet as they will be offered up for auction to raise funds for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. We’re looking forward to supporting the charity at the auction and finding out the new homes that the animals are going to while raising valuable funds for a very worthwhile cause.”
Sally-Ann Wilkinson, Director of Wild in Art, added: “It’s fantastic to see through the feedback so far that The BIG Stampede has truly captured the hearts and minds of so many of Hamilton’s residents and visitors this summer. We very much hope that the love for the majestic sculptures is carried over into the auction room on 29 September to help raise funds for Glasgow Children’s Hospital’s Schiehallion Appeal.”
The live auction will take place on Friday 29 September at The Hamilton Town House with host Robin Galloway. Proceeds raised from the auction will support Glasgow Children Hospital Charity’s Schiehallion Appeal. Those looking to register their interest early, can do so at the online auction page which can be found at https://thebigstampedeauction.com.
Kirsten Sinclair, Director of Fundraising at Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Big Stampede trail this summer and would like to thank Hamilton BID and Wild in Art for the wonderful opportunity to be part of this super event.
“As the trail comes to a close, we’re are getting set for our live auction of these magnificent sculptures. All proceeds from the auction will support our Schiehallion Appeal to bring more of the latest cancer treatments to Scotland, giving our young patients the best possible chance in their fight.”
For more information, visit www.glasgowchildrenshospitalcharity.org or call 0141 212 8750. Tickets cost £10 each and include a glass of prosecco on arrival. To purchase a ticket, please visit www.sllcboxoffice.co.uk or call 01698 452299.
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns to the town this weekend for a two-day feastival with plenty for everyone to sample and enjoy.
READ MOREWith a staggering 14 million adults in the UK unable to swim, the team behind The Learn to Swim National Framework has launched a new campaign to encourage adults in Scotland to learn the life skill.
READ MORE34.2 million Brits admit to ditching work and responsibilities for sporting events.
READ MORENow in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MORESummerlee Museum of Industrial life welcomed its four millionth visitor since opening its doors in 1988.
READ MOREAmazonia, Scotland's popular temperature controlled tropical indoor forest, has launched a new butterfly experience.
READ MORELatest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MORECalling all golfers! Topgolf Glasgow is hosting 'The Final Round – Live' on Sunday 14th April, it's an unmissable event to celebrate golf's most prestigious tournament!
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.
READ MOREThis year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.
READ MOREM&D's is to host a free weekend for comic fans and movie buffs at Scotland's Theme Park with the chance to meet a packed line-up of favourite characters!
READ MORELanark Amateur Musical Society (LAMS) have raised £1000 for Cancer Research UK as part of their 2024 charity partnership.
READ MOREAirdrie Town Hall will reopen in April as an entertainment and arts venue, following its use in recent years by NHS Lanarkshire.
READ MOREBothwell Castle, one of medieval Scotland's most outstanding monuments, has reopened to visitors.
READ MOREHistoric Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MOREJoin Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MORENoughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MOREGP Racing Simulators will incorporate 10 professional grade racing simulators, each equipped with a racing seat, steering wheel, pedals and a 43" monitor, alongside a licensed bar and dining complex.
READ MOREDobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.
READ MOREThe search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.
READ MOREThis year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.
READ MOREA host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.
READ MOREFrom an Easter Egg-stravaganza on Easter Sunday to high-tech golf games suitable for all the family, Topgolf Glasgow is a must-visit destination during the half-term break.
READ MORESpring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!
READ MOREAnd The Birds Did Sing, presented by Curious Seed, will be arriving in Cumbernauld on Thursday 26th March, for one performance.
READ MORELEADING UK renewable energy developer, OnPath Energy (formerly Banks Renewables), is set to host an open day for community grant funding generated by a nearby wind farm.
READ MORECentre stage will be the unveiling of a new ride – the Air Raid - a thrill ride that will take you to your limits!
READ MOREFull cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!
READ MOREDobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.
READ MOREGo Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"