Cowparade Houston

Ever since 1541, when explore Francisco Vasquez de Coronado brought 500 cattle across the Pecos River with his expedition to the fabled Seven Cities of Cibola, the Lone Star State has seen more than it's share of cows, including Spanish, brown, curly-haired chinos, and of course those famous longhorns. But in the fall of 2001, an entirely different sort of bovine turned up in Texas - not on its vast plains and ranches, but on the streets of cosmopolitan Houston.

From Cowculus at Reliant Plaza to Veggie Cow at Market Square to Georgia O'Beefe at Eleanor Tinsley Park, these quirky CowParade cattle were truly a unifying force, causing viewers to stop and smile all over the city. These sculptures were created by local artists, sponsored by area businesses, and helped raise money for the Texas Children's Hospital.

CowParade is the creator of citywide public art projects that bring together artists, corporations, and cows to delight residents and visitors and raise money for charity. Previous CowParades have appeared in Chicago; New York; Stamford, CT; West Orange, NJ; and Kansas City, MO. BACKCOVER: REMEMBER THE ALAMOO

Moonwalker, in tribute to Houston's contribution to space exploration. Courageous Cowlage, the collaborative effort by patients of the Texas Children's Cancer Center. Not to mention Cactow, Mooriachi, Love Me Tenderloin, A Starry Night in Texas, Flamen-cow, and more than 320 others - quite a different breed from the original livestock once herded into the Bayou City. It was the fall the cows came back to Houston - idiosyncratic, colorful, shaped, and sculpted - transforming its streets, parks, plazas, and schools into a joyful outdoor museum.