Shelling Out Donations
Charities are always looking for a way to get people to shell out some cash. The drive for donations was taken to a new level when 98 turtles started to poke their heads out around the Tampa Bay area of Florida. The "Tampa Bay Tour of Turtles" bred an artsy Fiberglass ensemble throughout the streets and buildings of Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg. The hatchlings rolled out onto the beach cities in nesting, standing or swimming poses. Each creation had corporate and private sponsors who commissioned the works to be dolled up by local artists. Turtles dressed as doctors, orchestra conductors, football players and even Hooters cheerleaders soon came up for air. Sporting what seems to be a series of couch tattoos, "Sofie" (above) took a post outside the Tampa Performing Arts Center. She is the work of Bill Waszak who aptly designed her with the Kanes Furniture sponsor in mind. All in all, 35 turtles made Tampa their winter home. Another 63 picked Clearwater and St. Petersburg. They will wrap up their tour in May of 2002. At that time, they will be auctioned with proceeds going to sponsor's favorite charity. The idea of filling a town with Fiberglass animals is not a new one. Chicago first tested the pasture with their "Cows Parade." Its success soon spread the concept to other states. Tampa turtle lovers are quick to point out however that their parade is the first to be "environmentally conscious" as it uses the endangered loggerhead species as its focal point. Ocala, Florida has already left the barn door open for a stampede of 52 life-size horses and in 2002 Gainesville will let loose 50 alligators. Let's hope the turtles aren't close by.
Loggerhead turtles
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