Our friend RoadDog wrote about a public art project celebrating the bond between Northern Illinois University and the DeKalb/Sycamore communities. More than 50 fiberglass painted Huskies were sponsored by individuals, businesses, and organizations. Each came as a pair: a 40-inch tall dog and a 20-inch pup.
On Thursday took a trip out to Dekalb and Sycamore and enjoyed looking for them. This was based on Chicago’s Cows on Parade. Really liked the Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition’s “Lincoln on Lincoln” with the fiberglass Huskie sporting a Lincoln beard. Also liked “Paw McCartney” complete in Sgt. Pepper’s uniform and mustache.
Here’s an image of Lincoln at the state fair from the ILHC, and below is Paw from huskiesonparade.com/. ILHC director Diane Rossiter says:
ILHC sponsored “Lincoln” and “Abe” as part of this project. Lincoln is 40″ tall and is standing proud on the corner of 1st Street and Lincoln Highway in DeKalb. Abe is 20″ tall and is allowed to visit many places throughout Illinois. He has gone to the Illinois State Fair in Springfield and was on exhibit in Freeport, Illinois for the celebration of the Lincoln/Douglas debates. Keep an eye out for Abe at future outings!
Huskies on Parade culminated during NIU’s Homecoming weekend when the dogs rode in the Homecoming Parade. The Huskie pups will be auctioned off, with all proceeds going to the February 14 Scholarship Fund. You can still check the Lincoln Highwy for Lincoln and 300 E. Harvestore Drive for Paw. For more info contact info@huskiesonparade.com or (815) 753-0835.
Tags: DeKalb IL, dog statues, Huskies on Parade, Lincoln Highway, Northern Illinois University, roadside
Lincoln Highway News 
October 21, 2008 at 10:01 pm |
Nice article, Brian. Thank you!
October 22, 2008 at 9:36 am |
The one at the far right of the top photo is Downtown Dog, a takeoff on Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl.” Even its toenails are painted. Quite a pooch. It is sponsored by the Dekalb Chamber of Commerce and CVB.
They are located in an old bank building that has been restored to past appearance.
The one in the center is named Liberty.
November 18, 2008 at 3:05 pm |
Thank you for the positive comments! I painted “Lincoln on Lincoln,” “Paw McCartney,” and “Uptown Girl.” It was a summer filled with dogs. I also painted “Hero Dog,” the TBC dog and the Midwest Orthopaedic Institute dog (can’t remember their names). I’m glad you are enjoying them. Eileen