You can tell he’s not a real elf. For starters, John Hipolito stands more than 6 feet tall. Plus you can see the blue jeans bunched under his red tights. But he’s got the elfin spirit as he asks passersby on State Street to pose for a smooch under a sprig of mistletoe.
He’s not insane, nor is he drunk. Rather he’s snapping photos of kissing couples to post at chicagoloopalliance.com, the Web site for the non-profit group that promotes business in the Loop. The Chicago Loop Alliance was formed this year by the merging of the Greater State Street Council and the Central Michigan Avenue Association.
Hipolito is joined by she-elves Helen Giagkou and Lisa Pawelski, who dangle mistletoe over the heads of smooching posers.
It’s not easy to warm hearts while you’re freezing your butt off. Most shoppers and lunchbreakers hustle past the trio, shooting odd looks their way. When told her photo will be posted online, Pam Richey of Minneapolis warily asks, “Where online?”
But some jump into the fun, like Brian and Andrea McCullough of Hudson, Iowa, who kiss for the camera while their kids stare on incredulously.
“The elves look cute,” says Andrea, her breath visible in the frigid air. “And nobody was asking for money.”
Single guys grab their opportunity to cuddle up to the females. Chicagoan Mike Washington persuades Pawelski to lay a smooch on his cheek. “Hey, I’ve got the holiday spirit,” he explains.
Ed Garza is beaming after his kiss. “When I saw these beautiful girls I was like, whoa!” says the student at the Illinois Institute of Art.
The elves have volunteered for this job, braving gummy pecks from elderly women and wandering hands from leering lads in the spirit of the season. Of course, they prefer it when couples keep the kisses to themselves.
An attractive pair from Dublin lock lips as Hipolito snaps a shot. Aisling Molloy and John O’Brien have come to frostbitten Chicago for a week of shopping and this unexpected, afternoon amore. So was the smooch worth a trip across the chilly Atlantic Ocean?
“Oh, it was beautiful,” says the Irish belle. “My first kiss in Chicago.”
Heartwarming, sure, but begorrah, it’s cold out here.
The elves will be shooting kissers at State and Washington Streets (in front of Nordstrom Rack) around lunchtime the next two Fridays.
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q@tribune.com
