CowParade, the art installation that occupied Austin for the last several months, auctioned more than 40 cows, raising $1.49 million for Superhero Kids Foundation at Dell’s Children Hospital after three months of exhibition in Austin.

The event was hosted by comedian Jay Leno and auctioneer Spanky Assiter at the ACL Moody Theatre Nov. 13, where over 1,200 attendees participated.

CowParade Austin has the world’s record-breaking price for a cow, auctioning two cows for $150,000 each, starting at a price of $10,000. However, for those with a lower budget, there was a silent auction that sold cows from $2,000 to $10,000.

“I’ve been to several other auctions but was absolutely blown away by the over-the-top generosity of those in attendance at the CowParade as well as how perfectly appointed this event was presented,” Patricia Potyka, the executive director of Texas Campus Compact, a non-profit statewide organization, said. “It was unlike any other auction event I’ve ever been to and I had a grand and most memorable fundraising.”

Superhero Kids and Dell’s Children Hospital bought and gave to the lead sponsors the ‘Texas Moosicians Cow’ by Mitch Brookman as a thank-you gift, according to Samia Joseph, co-founder of the Superhero Kids.

“Superhero Kids wants to express our sincerest  thanks to our sponsors, the artists,  all of the donors and of course Milton Verret and U.S. Money Reserve and Jay Leno for an incredibly wonderful evening to support those kids and families who are battling cancer at the CBCC [Children’s Blood and Cancer Center] at Dell Children’s,” Joseph said.

The Cow Parade Austin auction finished with a big round of applause from the tremendous success and a memorable night for participants, donors and, in the long run and most important, the kids.

“We are so moved by all those that participated, and overwhelmed by how many families will be helped by this event,” Joseph said.