Smiley, the Eat'n Park cookie recognized throughout the Pittsburgh region, is celebrating his 25th birthday year with a statue of himself at the Waterfront. "We wanted to do something special for Smiley ... and immortalize him," said Kevin O'Connell, senior vice president of Eat'n Park Restaurants, at a Tuesday news conference. There, an excited, costumed Smiley waved at people and pulled down the purple curtain to reveal his stationary counterpart.
"Smiley is one of the most recognized icons in Western Pennsylvania, and he's come to life as our mascot," O'Connell said.
Eat'n Park officials unveiled the new, glossy statue of Smiley, which stands about 5 feet, 4 inches tall inside the Homestead restaurant, close to the entry area.
The statue version of Smiley, a cookie created in 1986, looks exactly like the costumed mascot who appears at Pittsburgh events: a red cap, blue eyes and mouth, blue legs and red shoes. Restaurant officials say they expect thousands of kids to get their pictures taken with the giant cookie guy.
Not just a sugar cookie, Smiley participates in community causes, such as with Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, O'Connell says.
"It's hard to imagine that, in 1985 in Pittsburgh, there were no Smiley cookies," he said. "They're such a big part of our community."
O'Hara sculptor Ron Seman created the Smiley statue, which weighs about 200 pounds, out of steel and foam, and is covered with shiny epoxy material. Seman took about three months to complete the statue.
"Most of my projects are not nearly as fun as this," said Seman, president of his company, The Object Works.
Cliff Miller, vice president of creative services for Eat'n Park Restaurants, said Smiley's massive popularity comes from his universal appeal.
"It's a known fact that if someone smiles at you, you naturally smile back," Miller said. "Smiley is always smiling at you. Smiley is always happy, obviously."
And he's a yummy sugar cookie to boot, Miller said. What's not to like?
Eat'n Park might commission more Smiley statues for other locations in the future, he said.
By Kellie B. Gormly, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
