Enter the Lion’s Pride Contest at Oshkosh Public Library

Oct. 4, 2012 – The Oshkosh Public Library is calling on members of the Oshkosh community to show their library love, with an opportunity to create a keepsake that celebrates the 100^th birthday of Harris & Sawyer, the library lions.

OPL is selling plaster lion statues for the public to decorate and enter in the Lion’s Pride Contest. The cost for each lion is $20, with proceeds going to fund local history initiatives and programs at the library.

The contest is part of a month of activities that culminates on Oct. 13 with the Roaring 100^th Celebration. The event will include a rededication ceremony and other activities to commemorate the placement of the bronze lions on the library’s front steps in 1912. The lions were a gift from Col. John Hicks, publisher of the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern and former library board trustee.

The lion statues have been popular with library users. “It’s amazing the connection people feel with Harris & Sawyer, not only as symbols of the Oshkosh Public Library, but as a memorable part of the experiences they’ve had at the library over the years,” says librarian Ruth Percy.

The Lion’s Pride Contest is open to individuals (age 13 and older), families, and community groups or organizations. Statues can be purchased on the library’s first floor any time during library hours. Entry forms are available at the library and entries are due by Wed., Oct. 10. For complete contest rules and information visit www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.

Entries will be displayed and winners announced at the lions’ Roaring 100th Celebration on     Oct. 13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., under the Dome, at the library. Prizes will be awarded for 1^st Place and People’s Choice. Winners receive a $50 Oshkosh Chamber gift certificate from the Friends of the Library.