Mayor of Ipswich to bid Elmers farewell

Elmer Packs His Trunk, the final big farewell event, takes place on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 September, at Ipswich Corn Exchange and Town Hall. It is the last chance for members of the public to see the popular Elmers before they head off to their new homes at the auction next week.

Over the weekend, visitors will be able to see all 140 sculptures all together all under one roof – the only time during the whole campaign that has happened.

Elmer HQ will also reopen for two days only, giving people the chance to pick up those last minute trail souvenirs and gifts, this time at a reduced price. A special 30% discount is being applied to all Elmer merchandise still on sale with retailers across Ipswich for this weekend only, in recognition of both the hospice and Elmer’s 30th anniversaries, and the end of the Elmer trail.

Tickets are going fast but there are still spaces on most sessions, including the special quiet session which begins each day. Visit the Ipswich Regent and Corn Exchange online box office to purchase: bit.ly/trunk19

Norman Lloyd, Campaign Manager for Elmer’s Big Parade Suffolk, said:

“We are really looking forward to welcoming the Mayor to our biggest event yet! We know she is a huge David McKee and Elmer fan so it will be lovely to show off our beautiful sculptures to her, along with lots of the public. It should be a lovely, relaxed event and a great way to celebrate the fun we have had this summer.”

Elmer’s Big Parade Suffolk is St Elizabeth Hospice’s latest art trail, organised in partnership with Wild in Art and Andersen Press. The sculptures were out on parade until Saturday 7 September 2019. It followed the successful ‘Pigs Gone Wild’ art trail in 2016, which attracted around 250,000 visitors to Ipswich and boosted the local economy by an estimated £1 million. It raised £200,000 for the hospice – enough to fund one week’s care.