Jell-O Americana Flag Pride! Downey, CA, 2010
I just couldn’t resist sharing this with you even though its way more Forth of July than Easter and, at first glance, looks more like a cake than Jell-O! This is the dessert I served at Downey’s former space ship factory during the finale of my “Up With Downey” Tour last Saturday. I wasn’t planning on serving an Jell-O American flag mold it just kind of happened.
To honor the astronauts and the legions aerospace engineers that worked in Downey on the Apollo mission in the 60s, I wanted to serve something very “space age” to my tourists while we were there. My trustworthy “slibrarian,” Teresa, suggested I go to Amapola Market in Downey and order a Jell-O mold. How perfect! I didn’t even know Jell-O molds were available for special order.
After perusing the Jell-O molds on display at Amapola I ordered a red, white and blue star-shaped mold. Little did I know fate had a more patriotic idea in mind. Sensing my Americana pride, the young lady behind the Jell-O mold counter pointed to the American flag hanging on the wall and asked if I wanted a Jell-O flag instead of a star. Um, uh, Yes! Needless to say, I absolutely couldn’t wait to see what an American flag would look like rendered in Jell-O.
When it came time to serve it to my tour group I hadn’t seen it yet. I wanted to be surprised along with everyone else. Finally, among the vintage space ship models and memorabilia that surrounded us there at the former space ship factory I gathered everyone around for the reveal. As I de-lidded the big pink box it came in we all gasped in perfect unison as our beloved American Flag jiggled before us on foil wrapped cardboard. Our Americana imaginations were inspired and patriotic spirits soared. Then we gobbled it up with pride! Wooo-wee was it good. Tasted just like candy!
Now I can’t wait for an excuse to see what else can be rendered in Jell-O, stay tuned!
Here’s to astronauts Jell-O flag pride and YOU!
HAPPY EASTER!
Los Angeles, CA
March30, 2010
I saw a show on The Food Network about Jell-o. It featured a woman who was a Jell-o freak and had all kinds of molds and other Jell-o paraphanalia.
The Jell-O flag is a work of art Charles! Hope to be seeing you at the next Modernism show here in Denver!!!
Stunning, absolutely stunning! And you can’t get more patriotic than a Jell-o American flag. My hat is off to you.
And EYE got to tell everybody I was there in person and saw the original Jello Mold of Old Glory in beautiful technocolor. Thank you Charles for a great tour. I will never forget those experiences we had on a Orange School Bus touring the hot spots of the City (unless I get Alzheimer’s). It was a great day shared by many. Thanks for the Memories and Happy Trails……Linda Falkenburg
Order your Jell-O flag where I got this one, Amapola Market in Downey, CA.
I’ve heard they also have the best homemade tortillas in the county.
omGosh! That’s fabulous Charles. Where do I get one? Rock on!