Giant yellow noodle appears in Love Park

Love Park seems to have a new "love" sculpture.

It's giant yellow noodle, freshly set up today near 15th and JFK.

The latest brainstorm of Claes Oldenburg? After all, the sculptor created Philly's Clothespin and the new boldly colored Paint Torch, as well as, in other cities, oversize rubber-eraser wheels, shuttlecocks and safety pins.

Nah, this proves to be much cheesier, starting with its presumptuous message: "You know you love it."

Symmetrically curving up at each end, the piece is remindful of an eyeless smiley face - or Alice's enigmatic Cheshire cat.

Love what? Who says? any cat might ask.

An installer, who pulled down a protective metal plate, said it was a noodle, likely for Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.

The first woman passing by had no doubt that was right.

A Web search shows that yes, indeed, "You know you love it" is the slogan for the popular boxed tube food concocted with milk-infused cheese sauce powder.

Deputy City Representative Margaret Hughes confirmed.

The Fairmount Park Commission did a promotional deal with Kraft to help offset costs associated with the artificial holiday tree, this year up where the park's fountain used to gush, instead of near City Hall.

The Christmas Village also moved to the park - officially JFK Plaza - because of a construction project.

The plans were made months before Occupy protesters began camping at Dilworth Plaza, Hughes explained.

How much loot Kraft forked over, Hughes couldn't say. Proprietary information. Have to ask Kraft, she said.

Kraft didn't quickly return an initial call.

How else can we find out if they're going to give out free samples?