Mane Attraction: LA Kings Mascot is Surprise Guest at Lemon Grove Party

Jim Ellis found a fun way to surprise his wife for her birthday and do a good deed at the same time. And maybe indulge in a bit of fandom, too.

Ellis arranged for Bailey the Lion, the big cat mascot of 2012 Stanley Cup champions the Los Angeles Kings, to leave his home turf and pounce on the party celebrating Jennifer Ellis’s 40th birthday Saturday at the couple’s Lemon Grove home.

Kings fan Jennifer roared with delight over the surprise. Jim, a documentary filmmaker, put down his camera and put on his “cub reporter” hat to file this report:

"In one of the more rare sites to be seen in Lemon Grove in some time, a real live mascot from a championship team, The Los Angeles Kings, visited the city in the south. Driving over 2.5 hours down the 5 freeway, Bailey the Lion, the mascot for the 2012 Stanley Cup champions Kings, made a surprise visit for Lemon Grove resident Jennifer Ellis for her 40th birthday, Saturday, July 6. 

Among screams, laughs and yelps from the party-goers, including a half-dozen children, Bailey offered non-verbal jokes and shtick, autographs for all in attendance, and gifts to Ellis, which included an autographed puck, a Bailey tote bag and a license plate with a dozen Kings autographs. 

An overjoyed Ellis said, "It was really exciting to see him coming around the corner on my driveway. I want him to come over every day. Bailey comes out every time the Kings win their games at their arena ... and then here he was in my garden. It was pretty surreal."

Fees to have Bailey attend events go to the Kings Care Foundation, a non-profit that funds various charitable organizations that support the youth.  

Bailey, an expert mime who does not speak, could not be reached for comment. But guesses are whatever he was miming was pretty darn funny."

According to the LA Kings web site, the foundation raised more that $1.5 million this past hockey season to help agencies such as Ronald McDonald House, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Boys and Girls Club of America, City Year Los Angeles, Reading is Fundamental and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.