Join the safari squad this summer

There’s still time to join thousands of safari spectators who are eager to get a glimpse of Hamilton’s very own BIG Stampede!

Article Source: The Big Stampede
Last Updated: 6 August 2017 15:40

The animals will be in town until Sunday September 3rd and visitors are being encouraged to try find them all as part of a free, large scale art and tourism trail.

Over 30 animals, including a selection of giant elephants, lions, gorillas, giraffes and rhinos along with almost 80 baby hippos, charged into Hamilton at the end of June, ready to spend a summer in the Scottish town.

The animals set up home in a variety of locations to form an exciting, colourful art trail which has been enjoyed by thousands of people to date. Spectators are encouraged to find all the animals with the help of an app, which has had over 76,500 sculpture downloads since the trail launched earlier this summer.

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. Designs include 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.

The baby hippos, or Little Stampede, as it is fondly known, were each designed by more than 1,500 pupils and community groups from across the local area. As well as being able to visit their animals throughout the trail, the pupils received a series of exciting education resources which covered several areas of the curriculum. One local primary even had a bit of help from renowned Scottish artist, Stephen Brown where he added his famous McCoo design.

The free trail is organised by Hamilton Business Improvement District (BID) and Wild in Art to bring businesses, artists and schools together to create a spectacular artistic trail through the streets, parks and open spaces of Hamilton. At the end of their busy summer, the animals will take part in a special auction to raise money for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, the official charity partner of The BIG Stampede.

Gareth Walker, BID Manager at Hamilton Business Improvement District (BID), said: “The trail has been a huge success with safari spectators turning out come rain or shine in search of their favourite animal. Our animal app has had over 76,500 sculpture downloads to date which is fantastic.

“We would like to thank everyone for their support so far and would encourage anyone who hasn’t already visited the trail to come and pay us a visit. It’s fantastic to see people from different walks of life getting involved, sharing their safari selfies and most importantly having fun.

“The safari animals will be in town for another month before making their important journey to auction with proceeds going towards Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. We will be sad to see them go but look forward to raising valuable funds for such a worthwhile cause.”

Safari spectators can download the app for free and enjoy incentives and rewards while they scan different members of The BIG Stampede on their phone. A free trail map is also available from shops, libraries, community centres, hotels and other attractions throughout Hamilton.

The BIG Stampede trail will run until Sunday, 3rd September 2017.

For further information and updates throughout the trail, visit www.thebigstampede.co.uk