Exhibits will take place throughout the Central Pennsylvania area, including our own big old barn in Gettysburg! Come join us over the weekend of March 27 and 28, as we present the Midstate’s largest exhibit of "udderly" beautiful bovines—30 to 35 in all, displayed on every floor, around every corner, and even outside! Boyds Bear Country has chosen to sponsor six cows: three painted by local artists and three painted by muralist Wayne Fettro (he did our barn mural!). On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fettro will be on hand to demonstrate his cow-painting skills. We'll also host a bunch of fun activities over the weekend — a cow patty toss, a milking contest, a mooing contest, miniature golf, kids crafting, sweet treats served in the eatery, and more! Can’t make it in March? Catch the exhibit when it returns to our big old barn over Memorial Day weekend! “We are so excited to connect the delight of the world’s largest public art exhibition with the magical experience of Boyds Bear Country,” said Byron Quann, CEO of Whitaker Center. “Now visitors to the Boyds Bear Country Barn in Gettysburg can enjoy the fine art of Central Pennsylvania as displayed by the CowParade cows.”

In late June, cows from across the mid-state will be “herded up” and auctioned at the State Farm Show Complex. Net Proceeds will benefit the Whitaker Center for the Arts in Harrisburg and charities of sponsors’ choice. Have a couple hundred or thousand bucks you care to blow on a Brown Swiss? Then plan to attend the auction and wrangle a one-of-a-kind cow sculpture for your own private collection!

Why’s CowParade so important? Capturing the hearts and imaginations of millions worldwide, CowParade travels to exciting new cities around the globe. Along the way, the exhibit fosters art education through its Cows in School™ program and benefits charitable causes through its cow auctions. Host cities have included New York, Chicago, Houston, Las Vegas, London, Zurich, and Sydney. Harrisburg is the smallest city—and the first state capitol—to ever host the art exhibit. Quite a feat for our little burg! "We are delighted to be the banner sponsor of this wonderful exhibit that has come to our community thanks to the efforts of the Whitaker Center," said Jan Murley, CEO of The Boyds Collection Ltd.®"CowParade is about promoting creativity and having fun, two things that we deeply cherish at Boyds. Boyds Bear Country also provides the perfect setting to showcase cows throughout the exhibit and introduce our guests to the many talented artists in the area."

For more info, log onto cowparade.net!

Some Cow Facts For Curious Folks: