Helix Day on 14th September 2013 saw the newly completed Helix Park transformed into a giant landscaped canvas for a spectacular programme of outdoor artworks, commissioned by UZ Arts through Roofless, the Scotland-wide programme of outdoor arts.  Over the past year UZ Arts and Falkirk Community Trust have worked with national and international artists and more than 1000 members of the public to create the unique and innovative programme for Helix Day. 

Neil Butler, Director of UZ Arts said: 'We have commissioned the very best national and international artists from all art forms who are interested in collaborating with the public and unlocking the creativity to be found in the community. Although these artworks are temporary and ephemeral, we believe that they have lasting impact, living long in the collective memory. Helix Park has the potential to become an outdoor venue of international standing, where we can bring new art to new audiences not only from the Falkirk area but elsewhere in the UK.'

Renowned outdoor, sound, light and performance artists - Maria McCavana, Rachel Mimiec, Kenny Bean, Darren Wilson, Duncan Turner, Sumit Sarkar, Alex Rigg, Thor McIntyre Burnie, Christian Eisenberger, Stage Code, Conflux and Mischief La Bas - ensured Helix Day was a memorable one-off experience for everyone. The launch gave the public a first chance to see the park in the raw before it reaches maturity in the next growing season. Accordingly, guerilla gardener Darren Wilson was on hand, inviting local schoolchildren and members of the public to seed bomb fallow flowerbeds by firing a colonnade of wild flower grenades from a giant catapult in the opening salvo towards a blooming and flourishing future. 

Local groups from the area were involved in a 'flashmob' project, surprising and delighting visitors by appearing throughout the day and staging short flashmob inspired performances. Many thanks to all the groups who came and added their own unique talents to the day, including; The Big Fit Walk, NRG Performers, West of Scotland Ukelele Players, Fierce Valley Roller Girls, Youth Music Initiative, Project Theatre, Nordic Walkers, The Growbots (Kinnaird Primary School's gardening club), Stenhouse School of Dance and Central Scotland Ballet School.

The Helix Project - run in partnership by Falkirk Community Trust and Scottish Canals - sees not only the creation of the new central Helix Park between Falkirk and Grangemouth with its own lagoon and outdoor events space, but also wetlands, woodland trails and the permanent iconic attraction of the Kelpies, the 30m high horses heads created by artist Andy Scott as part of a new Forth & Clyde Canal extension.

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