Eye-catching “Minions” standing guard near downtown Macon

Have you ever had the feeling someone was staring at you?

These days, it might happen while you’re stopped at a downtown Macon traffic light, strolling by the park or sipping a drink on the sidewalk.

Along certain streets, big eyes are bulging from the top of a half-dozen yellow fire hydrants covered in tiny denim overalls.

This random act of “public art” turned the hydrants into little “Minions” of motion picture fame.

A few twists of pipe cleaner hair at the tip complete the transformation.

Who could have done such a despicable act of unlawfully defacing government property?

Turns out it was an outside job.

Two visiting children from Connecticut got the bright idea when admiring the colorful bear statues and other public art around town.

“They saw the yellow fire hydrants and said, ‘These look like Minions,’” said their Macon host Koryn Young, who is a champion of Macon’s outdoor art.

On the last day of their July visit, the artful kids -- who dodged any authority that would stop them -- set out under the cover of broad daylight to make Minion magic in Macon.

The local creatures, some with toothy grins and others with simple smiles, are modeled after the stars of this summer’s Illumination Entertainment prequel spin-off of “Despicable Me.”

Most of the hydrant versions are now X-rated since they lost their pants.

“We knew it might not last,” Young said.

At least three of the Macon Minions were fully clothed Wednesday. as the duct tape held several weeks after they were originally dressed. They stand at the corner of First and Poplar Streets, near Mercer at Adams Street and at the College Street corner of Washington Park.

The Minion on Cherry Street only has one shoulder strap left, but for the artists, it was a successful mission.

“They thought they were very clever,” Young said.

To contact writer Liz Fabian, call 744-4303 and follow her on Twitter@liz_lines.

This story was originally published September 2, 2015 at 9:09 PM with the headline "Eye-catching “Minions” standing guard near downtown Macon ."