The much anticipated dates for the trail of pigs that will be set out through Ipswich this summer has finally been revealed by Pigs Gone Wild organisers, St Elizabeth Hospice. From Monday 27 June a sounder of around 40 larger than life pig sculptures will be laid out on a trail through Ipswich town centre and the Waterfront as part of the exciting project, Pigs Gone Wild.
Each pig sculpture will be stunningly decorated by artists and generously sponsored by local businesses. Two of the pigs have already been revealed, Tally-Ho Trotters, the project’s mascot pig, and Pretty Penny, Ipswich Building Society’s fabulously fascinating and educational pig.
Tally-Ho and Pretty Penny are just two examples of what the pig sculptures will look like, and people will have to wait until the trail is launched before they can see any of the other incredible designs which artists will be putting paint to pig on in the coming weeks.
The Pigs Gone Wild interactive trail is expected to be the biggest mass participation public art event Suffolk has ever seen and it is hoped it will not only appeal to local people, but will attract thousands of tourists.
Norman Lloyd, Pigs Gone Wild project manager, said: “After months of suspense and many people asking us, we can finally reveal the dates of our Pigs Gone Wild trail. The trail will go live on 27 June and will last for ten weeks, finishing on 2 September, so there will be plenty of time for locals and people who come from far and wide to see all the amazing sculptures as they work their way along the trail through the town.
“The trail will be great fun for people of all ages and as you follow the trail, you can collect points using the Pigs Gone Wild app and receive discounts and special offers for local businesses.”
Pigs Gone Wild is being brought to the town by local charity St Elizabeth Hospice and Wild in Art, one of the country’s top creative producers of high-impact, public art exhibitions, featuring large-scale, individually designed and decorated ‘animal’ sculptures. They recently worked with Norfolk charity, Break, to stage GoGoGorillas! and GoGoDragons! in Norwich, which was very successful, bringing thousands of visitors to the city and raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for the charity.
Mr Lloyd added: “Following the GoGoDragons! trail last year in Norwich which was exceptionally popular, the excitement is now building for the pig trail in Ipswich. If you’ve seen the dragons or gorillas in Norwich or giraffes in Colchester, you will know how fantastic the sculptures look and the high quality of artistic creativity you can look forward to seeing on the streets of Ipswich.
“So what are you waiting for? Put 27 June – 2 September in your diary for the Pigs Gone Wild trail and make sure you bring your friends, family, neighbours, colleagues and long-distance cousins along for the colourful pig extravaganza!”
Along with the larger pig sculptures, there will also be junior pig sculptures – smaller, but crafted just as creatively – displayed on the trail in litters. They will be designed by students, teachers and youngsters in local schools and community groups who have signed up to be part of this educational, creative, and artistic project.
At the end of the trail, the junior pigs will be returned to their schools and the larger pigs will be auctioned off to raise funds for St Elizabeth Hospice. All the money raised will go towards providing care and support to more than 2,000 local people and their families, at home, in the community and at the hospice.
There is still time for your organisation to get involved. If you would like to find out more about sponsoring a pig and being part of Pigs Gone Wild, please visit www.pigsgonewild.co.uk, call 01473 723600 or email info@pigsgonewild.co.uk
Pigs Gone Wild is supported by principal media partners, East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star; presenting partner, Town 102; community engagement partner, Ipswich Building Society; supporting partner, Suffolk County Council; education partner, Suffolk Agricultural Association; and logistics partner, Systematic Logistics.
Other partners and sponsors include: Clarke & Simpson; East of England Co-op; Jimmy’s Farm; Ashton KCJ; Easton and Otley College; Suffolk Wildlife Trust; Sailmakers; Ipswich Central; Baileys Photography; John Grose; Hudson Group; Homestyle Windows and Conservatories; Martin & Co; Seven Group; and Associated British Ports.