Birmingham, Alabama, has had a giant statue of Vulcan for over a hundred years. Perched atop Red Mountain, he overlooks a city that was famous for steelmaking at the time that he was created. Now, in an effort to "take Vulcan off the mountain" and bring him into the 21st century, the managers of Vulcan Park and Museum have unveiled a plush, human-sized version of the statue. A volunteer will inhabit the suit and make appearances at local school and community events.

The Vulcan people reportedly were inspired to create their mini-god after seeing "Y Guy," a mascot for Birmingham YMCA's youth services. It was no surprise then that when the Vulcan people held a contest to name their suit, they chose, "V ... The Statue."

We applaud taking Vulcan to the streets, though the plushy version has a more family-appropriate buttocks in comparison to the real statue. But accuracy triumphs in the form of Vulcan's familiar stubby spear, also plush, so it won't put out a child's eye.

We hope that the owners of other giant mascots will "follow suit" and create their own plushy mortals. Who wouldn't want to pose for a snapshot wrapped in the arms of snuggly soft Golden Boy, or Athena, or even the typically standoffish Metaphor?

[03/08/2008]