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See the mad March Hares of Cirencester
Around 25 five-foot fibre-glass hares, and a further 50 life-sized ones, are to be let loose during the inaugural Cirencester March Hare Festival.
29 January 2014
Around 25 five-foot fibre-glass hares, and a further 50 life-sized ones, are to be let loose during the inaugural Cirencester March Hare Festival.
Visitors to the Cotswolds town will be able to follow a Hare Trail from March 29th. And the hares themselves - decorated by local artists, celebrities and craftspeople - will be popping-up in unexpected places throughout the summer, to September.
The hare has held a special place in Cirencester’s history ever since Roman times - and the discovery, in 1971, of a hare mosaic. It has become the symbol of the award winning Corinium Museum where the original hare mosaic is now housed.
The 2014 March Hare Festival will see dozens of brightly coloured hares appearing in parks, shops, cafes and restaurants throughout Cirencester - with local companies and organizations being invited to sponsor a blank hare sculpture and have it decorated by a local artist.
Mad March hare-spotting will become the new spectator sport for visitors to the town, and an art trail map naming sponsors and artists will be made available from the launch of the Hare Trail on March 29th.
At least 25 larger than life (5ft tall) decorated hares will grace the town and its environs, some outside sponsors’ premises, some in public spaces. In addition there will be up to 50 smaller (life-sized) versions, which will be on display in shop windows, cafés and restaurants.
At the end of the display period in September 2014, the hares will be sold during a grand auction, to end their days as joyful pieces of art in offices, homes and gardens; and some, it is hoped, will survive in public spaces. Artists will receive 25% of the price achieved with a guaranteed minimum of £200. Net proceeds from the auction and from associated merchandising will go to support ‘Green Hare projects around Cirencester that benefit both children and the local environment’ in partnership with the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.
For more information visit www.cirencesterharefestival.org.uk.
Anyone wanting additional visitor information should visit www.cotswolds.com.
