CowParade, the world's largest public art event, made its debut in La Jolla this week.
Forty life-sized fiberglass cows, decorated by local artists from San Diego and Tijuana, will be displayed around La Jolla until June 15.
Each stationary cow weighs about 100 pounds and is attached to a heavy base bearing a plaque with the sponsor's name. Of the 40 cows, 34 will be placed throughout the village, and six will be found at University Towne Center.
"I call the UTC cows the marketing cows because their job is to show people a taste of the parade that will inspire them to go see the rest of the display," Bill Trumpfheller, director of CowParade La Jolla, told the La Jolla Light.
During initial planning, organizers had hoped to have 200 cows placed all over the region but scaled the project back because of the economy. More than 300 artists submitted their designs for the project. CowParade La Jolla is paying its artists to do the cows.
After the display, the cows will be auctioned off to raise money for Rady Children's Hospital and the Zoological Society of San Diego.
Click here for a walking map of the area.
