‘Minions’ find temporary home in Amsterdam

PHOTOGRAPHER: Marc Schultz

Amsterdam resident Francesca Padilla walks Monday across East Main Street among posts painted like Minions.

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Minions have taken over downtown Amsterdam, but there’s no need to panic.

The little yellow creatures featured in the “Despicable Me” and “Minions” movies come in peace. They have simply found a new home on East Main Street thanks to Mayor Ann Thane and a few fanatics.

Last Thursday, Thane and her own “minions” painted already yellow median posts with the signature goggles and blue overalls of the popular cartoon characters for some lighthearted fun.

“It started at our farmers market,” Thane said. “Sherri Bardascini Crouse said, ‘Wouldn’t it be cute if we painted those like Minions?’ ”

Surprisingly, Thane has never seen a Minions movie, but supported the idea and even admitted “we like them.”

As the group painted, people drove by shouting their approval, and quizzical looks were followed by smiles Monday morning as commuters made their way past the poles.

The Minions colony has even become a popular spot for selfies. Thane’s initial Facebook post displaying the project has some 250 likes.

After the positive response, the group now plans to expand the art project to other parts of the city.

“Some people on the East Side said, ‘What about our side?’ ” Thane said. “So we think we’re going there tonight.”

The fate of the East Main Minions is unknown, but Thane calls it a “very temporary project.” She said the parking situation downtown will be rearranged in the future and the poles will have to go.

“It’s not a forever situation,” she said. “But we hope people like them and come down and get a picture with them.”