HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The world’s biggest celebration of art cars and innovative vehicles will roll through downtown Houston on Saturday, April 11 at 2pm.
The Houston Art Car Parade, presented by Team Gillman, is one of the city’s largest free public art events, drawing more than 300,000 people each year.
The 39th annual parade will feature over 250 art cars and other entries from 23 states, in addition to international vehicles from Canada and Mexico.
Each vehicle is an original work of moving art, designed by hundreds of passionate artists.
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In years past, we’ve seen art cars sculpted to resemble dogs, bananas, and one fiery show stopper: the rising phoenix.
We’ve also seen some very Houston-centric designs, from NASA space shuttles to art cars adorned with the colors of our Astros, Texans, Rockets, Dynamo, and Dash teams.
Sam Houston students captured Salvador DalÃ’s signature mustache and his dreamlike landscapes in a very detailed art car.
While some artists opt to use temporary materials, such as paper, tape, and even sugary Peeps marshmallows, others completely transform their vehicles with recycled materials, turning them into traveling art sculptures.
Slab is short for slow, loud, and bangin’. The custom cars, with bright candy paint and long rims, are uniquely Houston.
If you want to watch the Houston Art Car Parade in person, there are multiple ways to get to the route.
From the north, take I-45 south, exit 48A to Milam St., then continue on Milam Street. Parking can be found between Pease and Walker Streets.
From the south, take I-45 north, exit Houston/Memorial. Take a right onto Memorial, which will turn into Rusk St. Follow Rusk to Smith St.
Allen Parkway will be completely closed from 7am-6pm on the day of the Parade, and many of the access streets east of Montrose will be accessible only to residents. The Houston Art Car Parade recommends using rideshare to be dropped off along Allen Parkway, or biking from Montrose or the Heights.
ABC13 will live stream the 39th Annual Houston Art Car Parade starting at 2pm on Saturday, April 11.
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