Lions at Art Institute to wear Blackhawks helmets

The lions outside the Art Institute of Chicago are about to join thousands of Blackhawks fans in wearing the National Hockey League team’s colors.

In a news release, the museum says the two massive bronze lions will sport Blackhawks gear Wednesday, the day of the first Stanley Cup finals game between the hometown team and the Boston Bruins. The museum says the helmets are “custom-made,” which makes sense given that each lion weighs about three tons.

The massive bronze statues standing guard outside the museum’s Michigan Avenue entrance have touted local sports teams before. They adorned Bears and White Sox helmets when those teams made their own championship runs.

They are also used to celebrate the Christmas season, when they’re each decorated with wreaths.