The Artsy Cow Parade in Tijuana
Stanton Kowalski
Baja News
For some they sure may be an exaggeration of attempts to introduce a "happy cow" concept into U.S. and international consumers, but for the less politically inclined and more art-oriented, Tijuana will boast from organizing the first Cow Parade in northern Mexico and the nearby California region. Starting on May 27th and running two months to end on the 27th of July, visitors and residents alike will be able to enjoy 70 painted cows in what is now known as the world's largest public art event.
After traveling all the way from Europe and the U.S., the most outrageous public moo-seum to ever hit Tijuana will help boost the city's negative image in international spheres to help bring back tourists to Baja. Sponsored by Tijuana authorities and Lala milk company, the urban art event will draw thousands of visitors from all around as has happened previously in Mexico City and Guadalajara, the two previous resting points for the worldwide exhibition. Twenty of the 70 cows have been painted by Baja artists drawing on regional motives such as immigration, the border fence and other topics unique to Tijuana, according to city tourism officials.
According to information from Cow Parade's official website, the sculptures "are inspired by the cultural influences of the respective cities, and artists are moved by their own interpretation of the cow as an art object."
The sculptures, which are life-size replicas of the real thing, will be displayed in the city's most well known areas like Plaza Rio, Avenida Revolucion, Plaza Santa Cecilia, Paseo de los Heroes, Municipal Palace, Parque Morelos and the International Airport, according to event organizers.
As well, some of the cows will be placed in lesser known circuits like Avenida Arguello, layas de Tijuana and other points, in order to help entice visitors to discover historical parts of the city which are off the beaten track but that speak greatly about Tijuana's heritage.
On the day of the event, if you manage to catch it, a parade will run across Tijuana's liveliest streets to highlight the arrival of the worldwide popular painted cows, after which a verbena, or public fiesta, will follow with Mexican music and food, according to the Tijuana Chamber of Tourism.
For those happy cow enthusiasts, the cows will be auctioned after the event, with all proceeds heading to charity, specifically the DIF, the local family welfare agency.
The Cow Parade has gained notoriety since 1999, and has been in exhibition in international cities from Chicago to Paris and London, yet it has not been in display yet in California, which is why local authorities have invited all southern Californians to enjoy the sculptures and be motivated to visit Tijuana once again, said the representatives from the city Chamber of Tourism.