Watch CBS News

You Know It's The Holidays When The Lions Wear Their Wreaths

CHICAGO (CBS) -- It's a post-Thanksgiving tradition that has nothing to do with shopping.

WBBM Newsradio's Nancy Harty reports the Art Institute decorated its bronze lion statues on Friday.

The crowd outside the art museum cheered and took pictures as three workers climbed scaffolds to place the large evergreen wreaths around each lion's neck.

Art Institute Lions Don Wreaths

Many in the crowd were taking in that sight for the first time. It got us wondering about other decorations of public art.

"This seems uniquely Chicago," said one man from Detroit. "The only thing we do is put a Red Wing jersey on the famous Spirit of Detroit."

One woman said, "I doubt that Italy does anything with [Michaelangelo's] David."

The wreathing of the lions at the Art Institute dates back 22 years. For some, it's a way to be out celebrating the Friday after Thanksgiving without going to the mall.

"I am studiously avoiding shopping today. It's the worst day in the world to shop," one woman said.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.