Although Denver sometimes tries to shed its label of "cow town," the cows are moo-ving back in for the Denver Cow Parade. Eighty-three cow sculptures are stampeding through downtown Denver, Cherry Creek, and Stapleton until Oct. 18, 2006.
Each fiberglass cow is painted in a different style, some more whimsical than others. Each cow is also individually named, but thankfully not branded. The "Mod Cow" pictured above, by artists Chuck Poppe and David W. Thayer, sits in front of Crate & Barrel store in Cherry Creek North.
To view the cows in their natural habitat, venture down to the 16h Street Mall, the Denver Pavilions, the Tabor Center and Writer Square downtown. Cows also graze inside Cherry Creek Mall and along the sidewalks of Cherry Creek North. Stapleton also boasts a smaller herd of 12 sculptures, while a few heifers wandered out to DIA. Just remember, no cow tipping, please!
Denver remains in good company for the cow invasion. The Cow Parade is currently on the streets in such far-flung locales as Portugal, Greece, and Scotland. Closer to home, the Cow Parade also marches on in Boston and Wisconsin. The Cow Parade began in 1999 in New York City.
The Cow Parade's urban origins might explain the anatomical anomalies of the cows. In nature, female cattle (cows) have udders and male cattle (bulls) have horns. However, the sculptures on the cow parade seem to have both udders and horns. Perhaps it's simply a matter of semantics, as a Cow Parade sounds much better than a Bull Parade.
Do not worry about what happens when the cows go home. The sculptures will be auctioned off to good homes on Nov. 16. Fittingly, the auction will be held at the National Western Stock Show Stadium. The goal is to raise half a million dollars at the sale.
All money raised from the auction proceeds goes to local charities such as the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, the Children's Museum of Denver, the Denver Zoo and the Eagle Fund of the Denver Foundation. Call 303-469-7500 ext. 103 for more information on the auction.
