ABOVE: Mike Meyer’s redone Chuckles Walldog, with an updated Evel Knievel, on North Walnut Street.
It’s been a hot week; so the Danville Area Visitors Bureau is asking you to close your eyes and imagine a cool, brisk autumn day in October. This year, a few days before Halloween, the Visitors Bureau will be hosting a walkable Trick-or-Treating adventure involving all of Downtown Danville’s 16 Walldog Murals. And while there are 16 now, the plan is to have 17 by Halloween. As the Bureau Sales and Event Coordinator Tracy Fentem explains, a familiar face will be in town, perhaps early in September, exact dates are pending; creating a new Walldog Mural right near Vermilion River Beer Company. Mike Meyer, known for his Chuckles and Evel Knivel mural on North Walnut, will make his mark once again.
AUDIO: It’s going to be at the VRBC. So, in their brand new courtyard that they’ve developed; and it’s going to go right on the building that’s across from Pete in the courtyard. And that’s on the golden rod side painted wall.
And what will be the subject of this new Walldog Mural? Fentem says she and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Rhonda Ellis sat down and had an idea.
AUDIO: And we were thinking about, “what else could we do as a mural. and bringing it back to Danville, and what would it be that we’ve missed?” And we both looked at each other and we said, “ah, out of all of our murals, we don’t have the parks!”
And just like the redone Evel Knievel at the Chuckles mural, Fentem says a certain modern technique will be used for Mike Meyer’s Vermilion County parks mural as well.
AUDIO: He’s actually using paint. But instead of painting it on the bricks, or on the building itself, they’re using aluminum; so that it lasts. These days, wall dogs are actually painting on aluminum, and putting them on the wall; so they can be taken down and saved; or, in order to clean something.
Fentem says the aluminum technique also allows you to add more to a Walldog Mural further down the road.
Planning has already begun for this event for all ages within just a three-and-a half block area. You’ll be able to follow a provided map, or create your own route. The Halloween-Style TrickorTreating Experience with the Danville Walldog Murals will be Wednesday, October 28th, 3 to 5:30 PM. Fetem says that right now they are looking for volunteers, such as businesses and individuals interested in providing treats at one of the Walldog Mural locations, and handing them out as well. Just call the Danville Area Visitors Bureau at 217-442-2096, and ask for Tracy or Rhonda.
