AUGUSTA — Augusta community members have been ‘growing’ Tango, a painted rock snake, in Campbell’s Park across from U.S. Bank.
According to Jackie McMurrin of the Augusta Historical District, she first saw the idea for a “summer pet” like Tango on social media. She said she had seen other cities construct a rock snake and thought it would be a good activity to bring to Augusta.
McMurrin said she initially posted on the Augusta Historical District’s Facebook to ask for volunteers to paint Tango’s name sign and the “head rock.” Very soon after posting, McMurrin said members of the Augusta Art Guild reached out to her to commit to creating the sign and beginning rock.
On the Augusta Historical District’s Facebook, McMurrin gave credit to Deayna Woodruff from the guild for “helping get this started.”
McMurrin went on to discuss the process she used in order to name the rock snake.
When she was brainstorming names, McMurrin decided it would be a good idea to look into pet names. She said it was also difficult to find a name that did not match the name of any Augusta residents but she eventually came up with Tango.
McMurrin added how thrilled she was that community members have been participating in the “growth” of Tango.
“It just has really taken off. There are quite a few rocks now,” McMurrin said. She noted the snake has only been present for four or five days and had already seen great success in its growth.
According to McMurrin, she has received several phone calls from people out of state who are interested in contributing to Tango’s growth. She said some people have requested to mail in their painted rocks.
McMurrin said she was surprised to have seen Tango get as much attention as he has been. She said she has been posting Tango’s progress on Tik Tok and Facebook and has heard lots of positive feedback from those who see the project.
“It’s not just around here. People are watching from other states,” McMurrin said.
McMurrin went on to credit the Augusta Art Guild and Janet Hunt, Augusta’s Tourism Director, for their efforts in Tango’s growth. She said everybody who has been involved has been thrilled at the fun summer project that started.
McMurrin encourages children and their families to find a rock, paint it, and add it to Tango. She said Tango will be accessible to the public all summer long.
“If anybody wants to paint a rock, they can paint a rock,” McMurrin said.
To stay updated on Tango’s growth, please visit Augusta Kentucky Historical District on Facebook.
Bracken County Family Resource Center has also announced there will be a rock snake on Taylor Elementary’s campus. Director Samantha Wilson said the Bracken County community voted for the name of the snake to be Rocksanne.
Wilson said the Family Resource Center is hosting a paint session where community members can come to paint their rock for Rocksanne’s growth. She said the resource center is providing rocks and painting supplies but guests can bring their own.
She expects the rock to be on campus Wednesday, June 21.
She said it will likely be a permanent addition to the community.
For more information on where to put a painted rock in Bracken County, call the resource center at 606-735-3349.
