Mascot Costumes

Last night, we had a suite at the Clippers game for work. For those of you not from Columbus, the Clippers are our AAA baseball team that just built a beautiful new stadium across the street from my work. I've been to a handful of games, which are always really fun - even though I can't say that I ever watch much of the game.

In this picture is Abby Leatherman, 6, who is the daughter of my co-worker Andrew. She is totally sassy (has 2 older sisters, from which she's learned everything) and a very sweet girl.

In the middle of the game, this weird looking bird mascot came into our suite. There are a few points of note:

- No one invited him in

- I don't know what the green parrot hast to do with the clippers

- Come to think of it, I don't really know what a Clipper is.

I digress. Abby was so excited to see this bird and it made me really question people in mascot costumes. We've all seen them. They were in our high schools:

They are at college sporting events:

And oddly, they are outside fast food restaurants:

Like most, you might be wondering what might ever prompt someone to put on this hot, stinky, bulky get-up and walk around in public venues...I'm here to impart some thoughts on that rationale.

I have personal experience in a mascot costume, and there are a few things I have to share about it. When I was in high school, I was an intern with Ohio Reads. I had to go to schools dressed up like the Ohio Reads guy: 

Yes, I wore a huge state of Ohio on my head. What is remarkable about this experience is that when  I was in a huge-headed mascot costume, I naturally took on the persona of a mascot...you know...huge gestures, big waves, lots of hugs. Kids LOVED it. I share this with you to let you know that it definitely has it's perks. I don't want to infer what it might mean that I have to wear a 3 foot wide state on my head to have kids flock to me and hug me...but it's a kind of cool feeling.

Now, I don't know if I can say the same thing for our friend at quiznos. That might be a bum deal any way you look at it.