Rhino Mania is underway with a herd of stunningly painted animals about to stampede onto the streets of Chester.
As a prelude to the Chester’s biggest ever public art event more than 250 invited guests had a sneak preview of the wonderfully decorated rhinos at a preview event at Chester Racecourse.
Chester Renaissance Chief Executive Rita Waters told guests of the economic benefit Rhino Mania will have on the city.
She said: “Chester Renaissance has worked in partnership with Wild in Art to produce this event, along with the generous support of Bank of America, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Chester Zoo, BiG Storage and the North West Regional Development Agency as well as many other enthusiastic local businesses.
“The rhinos will be all around Chester City centre, as well as Cheshire Oaks , Ellesmere Port and Liverpool . There is even one at Euston Station in London.
“The PR opportunities an event like Rhino Mania will bring to Chester are huge. We expect 500,000 visitors will follow the rhino trail between 5 July and 12 September bringing many unmissable business opportunities to our city giving an economic boost to shops, hotels, bars and restaurants. Let the stampede begin!”
Back from left: Mark Pilgrim, Chester Zoo’s conservation and education director; Rita Waters Chief Executive of Chester Renaissance; Alasdair McNee, Chester Zoo’s Corporate Director and Cllr Mike Jones, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council examine the international rhino designed by Mark Ecko along with artist Mike Snowdon (front).