SOLON — Herky the Hawk, the University of Iowa’s mascot, could be “on parade” in Solon next year as Think Iowa City (the Iowa City-Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau) is looking to place 75 six-foot tall fiberglass statues of the famous bird around the Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty area in honor of Herky’s 75th “birthday.”
It will be the third “Herky on Parade” with the first in 2003 in celebration of an anniversary for historic Kinnick Stadium, and again in 2014. In order to make it happen, Think Iowa City is looking for businesses and organizations to sponsor a Herky statue to be placed in a public area; and for artists to bring Herky to life, as it were, with paint and other adornments.
The Solon City Council discussed the possibility of the City adopting (sponsoring) a Herky with the potential for four-to-five being placed in the community.
“We have a great opportunity to be a part of the 75-year celebration Herky on Parade next year,” City Administrator Cami Rasmussen told the Council at their Wednesday, October 18 regular meeting, saying Think Iowa City had reached out to her. “In 2014 there was a ‘surprise’ Herky (painted gold) on the Sutliff Bridge and it was quite popular, and they realized with Solon being part of the Iowa City area they wanted to be sure we were included.”
Think Iowa City has already reached out to the Solon Community School District, Rasmussen said, to have the district design a Herky. The Clear Creek Amana Community School District received a Herky in 2014 and students created and executed its design. The Herky is on display at the front entrance to the high school in Tiffin.
Sponsors have the option of sponsoring a blank Herky for $2,500 and supplying their own design and artist or sponsoring a Herky with a design selected from a catalog of work by local artists for $4,500.
Designs and artists must be approved by the Herky on Parade Committee however. Each Herky will receive a permanent plaque detailing the sponsor, artist, and Herky name as well as a page on the HerkyOnParade3.com website. Also, sponsors have the opportunity to pay an additional $5,000 fee to receive their Herky after the public display (May through August). After the public display concludes the statues are auctioned off, except for those which have been purchased by a sponsor.
Rasmussen added the organizers prefer to have Herky’s within walking distance of each other. “They say it’s an economic development opportunity and a business attraction because people like to find all of the Herky’s and take their pictures with them.”
She added in talking with Think Iowa City representatives she had indicated this would be an unexpected budget item in a challenging year (due to impacts from changes to Iowa’s property tax laws), “And they understand that, so they are willing to consider payments over time, or maybe we could get some sponsorships or donations from area non-profit’s.”
Councilman Cole Gabriel said he would prefer to explore donations and co-sponsorships. “I feel like we could get a good chunk of the way there if not all of the way there.” Councilman Dan O’Neil said he feels it would be a good draw to the community, but “I’m torn whether the City should. It would be out during Beef Days, I don’t know if it is something we would want to pitch to the Beef Days Committee, or they could do a ‘Beef Days themed’ something. It could be an attraction, I know the big chair Tim Gordon brought in was a huge hit. I love the concept, I’m excited that Solon is going to be a part of it, I’m just torn on if the City should be purchasing that or not.”
Mayor Steve Stange agreed and pointed out, “We’ve asked departments to make cuts.”
Councilman Steve Duncan acknowledged the popularity of Herky on Parade but also advocated for seeking community support as did Councilwoman Lauren Whitehead. “I think this would be very popular,” she said, “I think we could offset a lot of the cost in just telling people hey, we’ve got this great opportunity, can you help bring this to our community? I think people would rally behind it.”
“So, am I hearing you don’t want to fund this with tax dollars?” asked the Mayor.
Consensus of the Council was to gauge the community’s potential for support, with further discussion at a later date.
Full details including sponsorship and how to be one of the artists can be found at www.herkyonparade3.com