Even The Art Institute Lions Are Repping The Cubs

By Mae Rice in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 24, 2016 4:01PM

Updated at 12:51 p.m..: Everyone, from Hillary Clinton to these guys, is freaking out about the Cubs going to the World Series. Even the bronze lions outside the Art Institute are celebrating—they've donned lion-sized Cubs hats, with the help of a construction crew.

The Art Institute documented the hat-installation on their Facebook page:

A museum representative told Chicagoist the installation happened between 7:30 and 9 a.m. this morning, and that the hats had steel frames, hardened felt interiors, and were "heavily padded inside to protect the Lions."

A project manager at Chicago Scenic Studio, where the hats were made, told Chicagoist that the hats weigh roughly 40 pounds, and are about two feet wide, three feet front to back. "I've been doing all of the hats... for years," Gary Heitz added.

Per Heitz's comment, this is the first time in the history of the world that the lions have worn Cubs hats, but it's not their first time wearing hats in general. In the past, the lions have dressed up in helmets and caps (as well as jerseys) for other local sports teams' championship runs, the Art Institute rep noted. They also wear wreaths around their necks at Christmas.

[H/T WGN]