In the summer of 1999, Chicago cooked up a tourism ploy that not only worked like a charm, but also inspired countless imitators. Fiberglass cows--300 strong--decorated by local artists were placed around the city. The "Cows on Parade"--inspired by a Swiss project in 1998--began in early June and lasted through Halloween. Here's a look back at some of the cows that took over the city.
Want more? Discuss this article and others on RedEye's Facebook page.
Nudonna Williams and her group of day care children look at cows before they were painted inside a store at State and Lake. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, May 19, 1999
Official opening of Cows on Parade at Daley Plaza with Mayor Daley speaking. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, June 15, 1999
Cows in front of the Wrigely Building. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, June 17, 1999
The tourist cow in front of the Wrigley Building. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, June 17, 1999
The "Cutting Edge Cow in Motion" on the dock of Wendella Boats. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, July 5, 1999
This cow in front of Water Tower Place is a shopper. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, June 19, 1999
Carrie McKee, 9, of Mercer Island, Wash., takes a picture of one of the cows in June 1999. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, Aug. 29, 2013
"Cowiggy Bank" at Superior and Michigan Avenue. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, July 3, 1999
State and Wacker "Cow from Home" by David Philpot. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, July 3, 1999
Kathy Magruder of South Carolina touches one of the painted and sculpted Fiberglas cows on display. — Getty Images, Aug. 29, 2013
A cow atop the Skyline Queen called "Accidental Tourist." — Chicago Tribune archive photo, June 15, 1999
People admire one of the ornate cows, one of a line of cows sponsored by the Chicago Park District along Lake Shore Drive near Roosevelt Road and the Field Museum. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, July 1, 1999
The cow parade extended to 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, where five life-size cows, such as "Moooooonwalker," were displayed on the Museum of Science and Industry's north lawn. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, July 28, 1999
"Top Cow" maneuvers through the traffic on Michigan Avenue near Water Tower Place. — AP file photo, Aug. 27, 1999
A cow called Fruits of Summer walks in a parade along Chicago's Lake Shore Drive. — AP file photo, Aug. 27, 1999
Agata Dunikowska of Poland poses for a photo with the F-22 Air Enforcer (USA) Cow on Michigan Avenue near the John Hancock Building. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, Sept. 12, 1999
The "Jazz Cow" is one of the 300 life-size painted and sculpted Fiberglas cows on display 29 June, 1999, as part of the "Cows on Parade" in Chicago, Illinois. The cows were painted by local Chicago artists and are expected to be a major tourist draw over the summer. — JEFF HAYNES / , Aug. 29, 2013
Hugh Grant was in Chicago in July 1999 in order to promote his new film, "Mickey Blue Eyes". He ate lunch at Pizzeria Uno at Ohio and Wabash and then picked a cow out that matched his shirt on Michigan Ave. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, July 30, 1999
30 of the 65 cows auctioned off after the exhibit were paraded through the streets of Chicago on the backs of (sponsor) GM pick-up trucks seen heading west on Chicago Avenue west of Michigan. They originated at State and Lake and ended in a warehouse at Chicago and California where they will be sent to the individual buyers. Perhaps this isn't really the last we'll see of them. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, Nov. 10, 1999
A cow outside Gino's East (it is perched on the awning) at 160 E. Superior St. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, June 23, 1999
A cow at the Frankfort Public Library in 2001 that the library sponsored in Chicago's parade of cows in 1999. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, Aug. 2, 2001
Cow in front of the Equitable Building on Michigan Ave. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, June 17, 1999
One of two cows in front of Ed Debevics Restaurant at Wells and Ontario. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, June 19, 1999
The "Top Cow" on the median at Chicago and Michigan Ave. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, July 3, 1999
This cow in front of the old pumping station at 811 N. Michigan has the Chicago Film Festival theme all over it. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, June 19, 1999
The upside-down cow at Hanig's Footware 660 N. Michigan Ave. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, June 11, 1999
Four British "Beefeaters" prepare to march the London Cow from Equitable Plaza at 401 N. Michigan Ave to 150 N. Michigan Ave., the Stone Smurfit Building. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, Sept. 16, 1999
This cow at 100 E. Oak has a two way theme: Miami and shoes. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, June 19, 1999
The cow at the Department of Planning and Development at 42nd and Root. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, Aug. 15, 1999
The ladybug cow on the side of the hotel at 20 E. Delaware. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, July 3, 1999
This cow near 17 N. State has the LaSalle Bank Marathon logo painted on it. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, June 19, 1999
Midway Moving and Storage movers hoist one of the cows from the Museum of Science and Industry into their van. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, Oct. 31, 1999
The cows were removed from the city on Halloween, 1999. Here are some at the "corral" at the Midway Moving and Storage warehouse at 2727 W. Chicago Ave. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, Oct. 31, 1999
Mayor Daley tours the 65 Cows on Parade up for auction in the lobby of the Chicago Theater. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, Nov. 9, 1999
The citizenry views the 65 Cows on Parade up for auction in the lobby of the Chicago Theater. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, Nov. 9, 1999
A year after Cows on Parade, a cow finds a permanent home on the deck of this Lincoln Park thee-flat. — Chicago Tribune archive photo, July 13, 2000
Evan Swiech, 6, of Bloomington, Ill., gets up close and personal with Chicago's "Holy Cow" on display in the "House of Blues" and "Taste of Chicago" tent at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in 2000. — AP file photo, Aug. 3, 2000
One of the Chicago Cows on Parade sits in the yard of Diane Fisher in 2000 in Bayside, Wis. — AP file photo, July 14, 2000
