From lions to Gromits, we’re used to seeing unique art trails around Bristol. But none have been as magical as the blessing of unicorns that invaded the city over the summer.
As part of the 650th-anniversary celebrations for Bristol, UnicornFest saw dozens of mythical and magical creatures appear in some of the area’s most iconic landmarks from the Clifton Suspension Bridge to the Weston-Super-Mare pier. Local artists like Inkie and Silent Hobo were among those who decorated the “blessing” (the collective name for a group of unicorns), as well as local school children, which saw over 60 unicorn sculptures appear around Bristol.
Unicornfest is now giving the public one last chance to see the ‘blessing’ of unicorns at its Farewell Festival next month. The weekend celebrations take place at Propyard on September 23 & 24 and will showcase all the unicorns and 40 smaller foals. The festival will also feature a previously unseen 61st unicorn, currently being designed by a yet-to-be-announced artist.
Credit: UnicornFestThe Farewell Festival, which will also be raising money for Leukaemia Care, is your final chance to spot any you might have missed in the wild and take plenty of pictures. There will be a DJ supplying the tunes, as well as a bar and street food options available. IKEA’s popular ‘decorate a DALA-corn‘ sessions will also return for the final time at the event. You can buy a mini ceramic unicorn and decorate it with a wide variety of paints, stickers and pom poms.
“We’ve truly had such a magical summer in Bristol. Our unicorns have been scanned over 150,000 times by visitors coming from Germany to the USA. We’re incredibly proud to see people travelling from all over the world to come see all 60,” said Leukaemia Care CEO, Zack Pemberton-Whiteley.
“The Farewell festival will be the public’s last chance to see the complete set of unicorns who will all be retouched by their artists ready for the occasion, ahead of heading to the auction which will raise final vital funds for Leukaemia Care. It’s also an excellent chance for people who are collecting the unicorns on our app to scan any they have missed; coming along is the only way you can scan our secret 61st unicorn!”
Tickets to the Farewell Festival cost £7.50 for an adult ticket and £5 for children aged 3 – 16. On October 5, an auction will take place also at Propyard, so you can get your hands on these unique creatures yourself. Tickets for this event cost £25. To book yours to either event head here.
What is the history between Bristol and unicorns?
This year marks 650 years since Bristol achieved county corporate status in 1155. But the history between the city and these mythical creatures goes back to 1569 (Bristol became a city in 1542) when the city’s seal featured two golden unicorns. Apparently chosen, according to the City Audit Books, because they “only do homage to men of virtue” – which is also why they are also seated rather than rampant and rearing up. You’ll still see them on Bristol’s coat of arms!
But you’ll find these majestic beasts hidden in plain sight all over Bristol. There are two bronze unicorns standing on the roof of City Hall on College Green. Unicorns also adorn the bow of the SS Great Britain. While Bristol City FC keeps going back and forth between unicorns and a robin on their kits. Once you know about them, you’ll start to see them everywhere too. From the Church of St John the Baptist to the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery and the original University of Bristol logo.