Lions Roar Goodbye Auction Preview Weekend
Photo: Celia Mannings
Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th October
The weekend of 9th & 10th October saw 104 of the Lions of Bath sculptures gathered together in one giant pride in front of the world famous Royal Crescent for a weekend of public viewing before the charity auctions on Friday 15th and Sunday 17th October.
There was live music from the original "Simba" in the Lion King, Roger Wright on Saturday morning and South African musician Risenda Makondo held drumming workshops on Saturday afternoon. The City of Bath College presented a selection of African-themed music, including Senagalese drumming, on Sunday.
Artistic skills were tested at the mini-lion workshops and younger children enjoyed the lion colouring book sessions and lion-shaped cookie decorating.
On Sunday, Artizan hairdressing created wild mane hairstyles for children.
You can even win your own full-size lion, as "Hospital Lion" is being raffled, along with the huge Parks Department floral lion, that was displayed in Parade Gardens this summer. The Bath Chronicle caravan sold the raffle tickets for £1 each, or £2 including a Bath Chronicle goodie bag, and tickets are now on sale at the Lions of Bath shop in Milsom Place, Bath, which is open until Sunday
31st October.
As well as admiring the magnificent pride of 104 stunning lion sculptures, undecorated mini-lions, or a replicas by some of the artists of the full size artworks were also available, along with a selection of lion t-shirts, mugs, postcards and even silver necklaces for that special present. The Lions of Bath book was rushed, literally hot off the press, to the site by opening time on Saturday!
Food and drink from The Cork, the Whole Bagel, a hog roast, special Lion Brew from Abbey Ales, fudge and chocolate from the San Francisco Fudge Factory allcombined to make the "Roar Goodbye Weekend" a roaringly fun day out for lion fans of all ages!
The similar King Bladud's Pigs auction preview weekend in 2008 was a huge success, with over 16,000 pig fans coming to say their final farewells to the herd over the course of the weekend!
The Lions Roar Goodbye Auction Preview Weekend was filled with fantastic activites including African/lion-themed cookery demos, music, and fun activities for all the family including mini-lion decorating workshops.