San Antonio Welcomes Back CowParade After 22 Years

(SAN ANTONIO) — Moooove over San Antonio! The city is gearing up for a vibrant return of the CowParade, the world’s largest public art event, after a 22-year hiatus. Local artists are invited to join this exciting celebration by applying to decorate one of the 75 life-sized cow sculptures that will be showcased throughout the city. This year’s event will benefit the CHRISTUS Children’s Foundation.

CowParade, which began in 1999, has since captivated over 100 major cities worldwide, with more than 5,000 unique cow sculptures created. San Antonio last hosted the parade in 2003, and its return next year promises to be an unforgettable spectacle of creativity and community spirit.

Artists of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to be part of this monumental event. Each selected artist will receive a $1,000 stipend for their work, with all proceeds from the auction of the decorated cows going to the CHRISTUS Children’s Foundation. Applications are open until September 6th, and interested artists should download the form from anyartist.org and submit it via email to Laura Schleif at laura.schleif@christushealth.org.

Winning artists will be notified in mid-September and will have eight weeks to transform their cows into masterpieces. The event seeks two types of designs: one that embodies the artist’s unique vision and another that celebrates the rich history and culture of San Antonio.

CowParade has previously featured an array of imaginative designs, from the “Yellow Submoorine” cow in Stockholm (2005) to the “Mystical MerMoo” cow in New England (2023). San Antonio’s own “Dairy Crockett” from the 2003 event remains a cherished memory.

Local contemporary artist Allison Gregory will lead this year’s artists and will design a cow for auction. Additionally, smaller Mini-Moo sculptures created by CHRISTUS Children’s patients will also be available for purchase.

For more information about CowParade San Antonio and the application process, please visit christuschildrensfoundation.org/cowparade or contact Laura Schleif at laura.schleif@christushealth.org. Details on sponsorship opportunities will be announced soon.

Get ready, San Antonio—our city is about to be covered in cow-inspired creativity! 🐄🎨