Pelicans on Parade

Pelicans on Parade is a public art display of pelican sculptures in Slidell, Louisiana. Close to two hundred of the 4-​foot high fiberglass pelicans were painted and distributed throughout the city.
The PoP project originated as a way to raise money for a local children’s charity, Children’s Wish Endowment. A slew of community artists stepped up to create one-​of-​a-​kind designs with South Louisiana flavor.
The colorful pelicans are eye-​catching and it’s fun to look at them as you drive through the city.
A pelican in front of the fire department wears fire and rescue gear. One in front of the courthouse clutches a legal brief in its bill. The Harley-​Davidson shop has one that rocks a bandana, leather vest and goatee.
Check out a gallery of Pelicans on Parade here:
For some reason, despite the fact that there was still demand for the pelicans (with businesses on a waiting list to buy one), they stopped making them in 2013. Why they would stop producing a money-​maker at the height of its popularity makes no sense to me.
They missed an opportunity to expand their fan base and raise more money for children in the parish. I hope Pelicans on Parade will consider doing a second installment of the pelican sculptures in the future. Until then I’ll keep enjoying the view through my car window.