Why is a giant donair costume being auctioned by the Alberta government? Whatever the reason, it's a hit
An uncommon object – owned by an inquisitive individual – is being put up for bidding in Alberta, captivating numerous offers and generating significant online attention, all the while fostering adoration for the beloved local culinary delight.
The Alberta government is selling a costume called the "Donair outfit," which comes with imitation shaved meat, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and sauce bundled in a pita bread and aluminum foil.
According to a representative from the government, the donair was bought in 2015 for a public announcement but unfortunately, the event didn't take place. They mentioned to CTV News on Wednesday that the donair remained unused and they are currently verifying the exact amount it was purchased for.
The initial offer commenced at $50 and exceeded $5,550 on Wednesday, with a remaining duration of 26 days within the virtual auction.
According to the blog post by Surplus Sales Edmonton, consisting of various latex materials, vulcanized rubbers, and synthetic components.
Includes a body suit in a shiny silver color to achieve the genuine appearance of aluminum foil!
The attire is towering at an impressive height of over six feet (1.9 meters) and is categorized as visually splendid, albeit slightly covered in dust.
The item is currently stored at a bidding facility located on Fort Road in Edmonton.
CTV News Edmonton was granted access to view and capture images of it on Wednesday, however, our reporter was not given permission to test it out.
An enormous donair outfit, currently up for auction under the Alberta government, is displayed in an Edmonton storage facility on July 19, 2023. (Evan Klippenstein/CTV News Edmonton)
It appears that the outfit was created in the year 2015 by a company situated in California known as Alterian Inc.
Alterian has also curated apparel ensembles for the blockbuster film Zombieland, devised primitive individuals for Gieco advertisements, and assembled headgears for the renowned electronic music duo Daft Punk.
The creator, Tony Gardner, mentioned that he designed it specifically for a commercial and later sold it to the branding agency DDBCanada.
"It's wonderful to see the positive response from people. That was the primary aim – to create something that people would find impressive. The fact that they are actively bidding on it and showing interest in investing their money is absolutely amazing," he expressed to CTV News.
Gardner couldn't recall the precise selling price of the donair costume; he reckons it likely fell somewhere within the range of $12,000 and $15,000.
Furthermore, he lacks precise knowledge regarding the purpose for which the attire has been utilized ever since he sent it to Canada.
However, he does remember discussions concerning whether it should bear the name "donair" or "shawarma."
There were also varying viewpoints regarding adding lettuce to it and whether the sauce should be sugary and liquidy or a creamy tzatziki.
"It was absolutely amusing," Gardner stated, reflecting on how the topic resurfaced accompanied by a wave of enthusiasm and countless inquiries.
"It's quite amusing, and the fact that the government possesses it adds an extra layer of entertainment for all of us here at the studio."
Tony Gardner, the costume designer for Donair, an iconic brand, was interviewed by CTV News on July 19, 2023. Gardner hails from Alterian Inc., a renowned company in the industry.
The president of International Mascots, a company operating in the local area, was amazed by the donair concept. This company has previously created costumes for various sports teams like the Edmonton Oilers, Edmonton Elks, and University of Alberta Golden Bears.
Joel Leveille expressed his admiration for an outstanding costume prop, commending the remarkable craftsmanship of the person responsible for its creation, as he shared with CTV News Edmonton.
Wow, what an exceptional outfit! The level of intricacy and attention to detail is truly remarkable. The craftsmanship on this piece seems to be of an exceptionally high standard.
According to him, in Canada, the usual cost for professional mascot costumes ranges from $10,000 to $15,000. Thus, obtaining one for $1,000 seems like a fantastic deal.
The response on the internet was immediate and generally favorable.
"I absolutely must have this Donair costume in my existence!" expressed Andrew Livingstone, a resident of Edmonton.
"Being a devoted bidder for donairs was a delightful experience for me. However, unfortunately, the price has exceeded my financial limits," shared Graham Mosimann, a radio host, who made a bid of $600.69. "I hope that this incredibly amusing item finds its way into the possession of an equally amusing individual who possesses substantial disposable income, allowing them to find immense joy."
I have no clue who needs this message, but you can actually laugh at the donair costume without spending your hard-earned money on it and giving it all to the government," posted Sam, a resident of Edmonton, on Twitter.
Leveille expressed that he was not particularly surprised to discover that the government possesses the outfit, as he has previously sold multiple costumes for public awareness initiatives.
Regarding the adoration the donair is receiving, Leveille stated that the reason behind it is quite simple.
Individuals are drawn to character outfits as it grants them the opportunity, first and foremost, to relive their childhood. Thus, it is akin to actively engaging in an actual animated encounter.
With information sourced from CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson and CTV National News' Bill Fortier
