Ewe Bet: Fullerton Pins Hopes on Fake Sheep

By next spring, a flock of life-size fiberglass sheep might be spotted hanging out in Fullerton’s downtown business district.

The sheep, with fleece as white or colorful as the imaginations of the artists who paint them and placed precariously among parking meters and pedestrians, just might look like they’re milling around the various shops.

The sheep, an outdoor public-art exhibit, are part of the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce’s plans for “Bastanchury Days” and a means to encourage tourists and locals to visit downtown.

The idea is for local businesses, individuals and organizations to buy an unpainted sheep for $2,500, then hire an artist to paint and design it, which will probably cost an additional $1,000.

“This is really, really cute,” Councilwoman Jan M. Flory said. “When I first read about this, I was wondering, what is the chamber thinking? But then it grows on you.”

In Fullerton’s early days, sheep grazed on the grassy fields of Bastanchury Ranch, and the herds passed through town, said Craig Brown, former chairman of the chamber’s board of directors.

The fiberglass sheep will be on display for six months at various sites before being auctioned off, said ChamberChairman Bill Heaton. He hopes to garner at least 30 sheep for the city.

The concept of artsy animals began in Chicago in 1999, when about 300 fiberglass cows were placed in strategic locations around the city.

The cows are credited with attracting thousands of visitors to the city and $200 million in revenue. Thirty other cities followed the Windy City’s example, using replicas of different animals, such as fish, pigs and thoroughbred horses.

It’s an idea that seems to have wide appeal among Fullerton business folk.

“We’re all for it,” said Mike Ritto, the president of the city’s Downtown Business Assn. “I don’t know how it can be bad. People come, stop and have something to eat.”

Added resident Tom O’Neill: “A lot of things can flow out of this. Lamb stew from the sheep industry, that type of thing. A lot of art and crafts stuff fit into this.”

A broad spectrum of community members will be asked to oversee the project, chamber officials said.

Mayor F. Richard Jones can see it now: “Instead of guacamole dip, we can have sheep dip.”