The Second CowParade Was a Success Selling Nearly Half of the 60 Cows.

After four months of display on San José’s streets, the CowParade’s 120 cows were taken in for repair and “makeup,” to doll them up for auction. The “Cow Hospital” was in charge of repairing any damages, revamping their colors, and generally making each cow look as unique and beautiful as it did on its first day.

On September 3, the first round of cows went up on the auction block. A total of 29 of the 60 cows on offer found a home, and their auction prices collected a sizable $109,500. The three-hour auction was declared a success, even though only half of the cows sold. Most cows were purchased by business owners, and will now grace local restaurants, hotels and certain homes.

Many bidders arrived with a cow already in mind, though several said they’d simply see what the night brought. Alejandro Acosta, owner of Abangares’ (Guanacaste) Tres Hermanos restaurant, came for a special reason: “We have a large zebu bull at the entrance to our restaurant, and since he was a little sad we came to find him a friend.” Acosta purchased the cow Aunque te vistan de seda… vaca te quedas (Even if they dress you in silk… you’ll still be a cow) for $3,500. Acosta also purchased the most expensive cow of the night, the $7,500 Venciendo el obstáculo (Overcoming the obstacle).

Yesterday, on October 1, the second set of 60 cows were put up for auction. The event took place at Multiplaza de Escazú, and by 9 p.m., 26 cows had been sold. Unlike the first auction, last night’s bidding was open to the entire public, ostensibly to raise interest and sell more cows. Unfortunately, torrential downpours prevented many from attending.

Final auction prices ranged from $1,700 to $4,600. The most expensive cow of the evening, La Vacurbana (The Urbancow) witnessed a fierce bidding war. After their wins, bidders expressed satisfaction with their purchases. “I don’t think I’ll make such a big investment again, but it was worth it. I really liked the cow because it is very typical of Costa Rica,” Sheila Morrison, who purchased Yo soy así (That’s how I am), commented.

On October 10, the remaining cows, which total 65, will begin a tour all over the Costa Rica map, visiting 12 cantons. The tour will allow the country’s more rural citizens to catch a glimpse of the famous cows, and perhaps encourage future auction bidders. Though a smaller version of the larger CowParade, event organizers are proud to bring the unique art to those that were unable to see it earlier. The tour will begin in San Carlos (Alajuela).

About 70% of all auction proceeds are donated to social organizations, which include the Foundation for the Development of the National Children’s Hospital, the Association of Works of the Holy Spirit, Fundavida, and Hogares Crea, an organization that helps drug addicts to escape their habit.

Photo courtesy of La Nacion.

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Filed under: Business on October 2nd, 2008