Blackpool's free Elmer sculpture trail kicks off this weekend

The much-anticipated art trail featuring 30 Elmer the Patchwork Elephants kicks off in Blackpool this weekend.

Families will be able to search for the giant sculptures, which are coming to the seaside resort as part of an event from Wild in Art.

Inspired by David McKee’s beloved children’s book character, each one has been uniquely decorated, creating a parade through the town that will be enjoyed by visitors and locals for eight weeks, from April 13 to June 9.

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Although most of the designs have been kept under wraps, organisers have shared a few of them, including The Clown, Beach Belle and Creative Fusion.

And last month we shared a photo of Elmer Elaganza, who has been designed by interior designer and television presenter Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

Elmer’s Big Parade Blackpool is being brought to the town by Brian House Children's Hospice in partnership with Wild in Art and Andersen Press and is expected to raise more than £110,000 for the hospice.

The app for families to follow the trail is now live and free to download. Simply go to your app store and search Elmer Blackpool 2024. You can make your way along the promenade, with elephants spread from The Solaris Centre, up to North Pier. Quite a lot of them can be found in the area around the Blackpool Tower.

A herd of smaller Elmers accompanies the trail, decorated by local children and young people through schools and youth organisations. They've been sponsored by businesses and organisations, with visitors encouraged to visit as many as possible.

Linzi Warburton, head of fundraising, said: “We’re so close to the biggest event we’ve ever organised, and the