MERMAID TAILS OFF TO BE SPRUCED UP FOR GRAND FINALE
While The Great Tail Trail has left the locations and landmarks of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) after a fin-tastic 8 weeks, the eye-catching giant mermaid tails have not gone for good.
All 88 tails, including the Tiny Tails created by local schools and community groups, are getting some love and attention after a busy few weeks on the trail, and with a few retouches will be ready for their final appearance at the Farewell Weekend at the Bournemouth International Centre on 14 &15 June. It will be the last time all the tails will be under one roof for everyone to see these wonderful works of art and collect any last sculptures they may be missing.
A last shell-ebration
Visitors to the Farewell Weekend will also have a unique chance to win one of two mini tails, specially created by LUCANART (When the Waves Come) and Tory Allen (ETERNAL), meet some of the mer-mazing trail artists and paint their very own mini mermaid tail sculpture. Face painters will be on hand to create some fun under-the-sea themed face art plus children’s games, activities and refreshments. Artist Judy Guillery (JudeeTree Art), will also be painting live on the very special Waves of Love tribute tail on Saturday 14 June (11am-3pm), so you have a chance to dedicate a scale to someone special in your life – a perfect Father’s Day gift!
The Farewell Weekend is open from 1030am-4.00pm on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June with tickets available to book by clicking here. Book before midnight on Friday 13 June and save 20%. Tickets will be available on the door and family tickets are also available.
“It’s going to be a great fun family weekend,” says Laura Maidment, Julia’s House Public Fundraising Manager. “We’re expecting hundreds of visitors as it’s the first and last time all of the mermaid sculptures, large and small, will be under one roof. What a spectacle and what a great way to spend Father’s Day on Sunday!”
Place your bid online or in person!
If you’ve had a favourite tail on the trail, you could have a chance to take it home at The Great Tail Trail Grand Auction, with all proceeds going to support Julia’s House children’s hospice and its vital care for local families and children.
More than 40 of the uniquely designed mermaid tails will go under the hammer at a Grand Auction at The Italian Villa, Compton Acres on 20 June, with professional auctioneer, Charlie Ross, coordinating the bidding. Tickets are limited and need to be booked in advance. So, join Charlie on the night and bid for your favourite mermaid tail - you could be taking home a one-off piece of artwork created by one of the trail’s acclaimed artists as well as a wonderful legacy of the trail. To dive in and register your interest in the auction, click here.
If you can't attend in person, you can still join in the auction excitement from the comfort of your sofa, with live streaming and online bidding. You can place your bid right now as the online auction is open! Go to gtt.wildinartauctions.com
The Great Tail Trail Grand Auction has been kindly sponsored by specialist engineering company, IMI Poole.
As Dorset's local children's hospice charity, Julia’s House receives just eight per cent ongoing funding from the Government and relies on public support and donations to provide its critical care to the most seriously ill children in the local community. Its costs are increasing along with the demand for its care, due to more children being born and living longer with rare and complex medical conditions. Each year Julia's House needs to raise more money to ensure it can be there for every family that needs its support, and The Great Tail Trail is a vital community fundraising project for the charity.
