Art trail app goes live ahead of weekend launch

With just days to go before Blackpool’s biggest ever art trail, the app for Elmer’s Big Parade Blackpool is now available and completely free to download.

It means trail-goers can plan ahead to find more than 70 sculptures inspired by David McKee’s popular children’s character Elmer the Patchwork Elephant in key locations through the town. Plus they’ll be able to see for the first time all the sculptures before they are installed on Friday.

Once the trail is live on Saturday, anyone taking part in the trail will be able to use the app to unlock rewards when each of the sculptures or herd of Young Elmers is ‘collected’ using a special code.

Rewards have been donated by trail sponsors and supporters, and range from free trail merchandise to the chance to win designer jewellery.

Elmer’s Big Parade Blackpool is being organised by Brian House Children’s Hospice in partnership with Wild in Art and Andersen Press. It is expected to raise over £110,000 for Brian House.

Head of Fundraising, Linzi Warburton, said: “We’re so close to the biggest event we’ve ever organised, and the excitement is definitely building now that our dedicated app is available. We’re thrilled that it has already been downloaded by hundreds of people who are now ready to start finding our sculptures from Saturday.

“The app allows trail-goers to vote for their favourite sculpture and submit pictures of them collecting their Elmers. It’s a wonderful way of celebrating the milestones people will meet while taking part in our art trail.”

At the end of the trail, which runs until 9^th June, Brian House is organising a Farewell Weekend, offering people the chance to see the sculptures all together – the only time they’ll all be in one place available to the public – and collect any remaining sculptures they’ve missed during the trail. The event will be held at Blackpool Tower on 22^nd-23^rd June.

And on Thursday 27^th June, all the large sculptures will be sold at auction to raise vital funds for Brian House – the Fylde coast’s only children’s hospice.

Linzi added: “After over a year of planning, we can’t wait to reveal our incredibly sculptures to Blackpool, showcasing our town’s creativity and uniqueness for thousands of people to celebrate. We’ve received hundreds of messages from people who are keen to take on our trail, from excited residents to visitors who are planning a visit because of our event.”

To download the free app, go to your app store and search Elmer Blackpool 2024. For more information about the trail, including the farewell weekend and auction, visit www.elmerblackpool.co.uk

Elmer’s Big Parade Blackpool will run from 13th April to 9th June 2024. The art trail is supported by Presenting Partners Thompson Contracts and Ameon, Learning Programme Sponsor Tower Insurance and Official Supporters Shared Services Connected Ltd (SSCL), Beaverbrooks, Partington’s Holiday Parks, RSS Events and Blackpool Council.