Why Do People Put Pink Flamingos In Their Yard
In Lawn & Garden by JamieDecember 30, 2021
If you have spent time in North America, chances are that you have driven past a residential or business lawn covered in pink flamingos. What seemed to be low-brow humor in the form of these plastic birds turned into a recurring trend for various reasons.
In the 1950s, pink flamingos were a symbol of pop culture and represented a decorative trend, showcasing class and luxury destination themes. Through the decades it became a symbol of humor, still used as décor, or to surprise a birthday celebrant. Recently, pink flamingos have become a method of charitable fundraising known as flocking.
Whatever the reason, pink flamingos have represented and continue to represent multiple elements of North American culture and trends.
Contents
They’re A Key Part Of An Unofficial Tradition Known As Flocking
Like the blogger behind The House That Lars Built demonstrates, flocking involves secretly filling someone’s yard with a bevy of pink flamingos to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or for no other good reason than the fact that it’s hilarious. Believe it or not, many companies have popped up to offer this service. You really can get anything in America.
Flamingo Statues & Lawn Ornaments For Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is here, and it’s the perfect time to show your mom how much you love her! If you want to go beyond the usual candies and cards, you can gift her something that she will cherish for a long time. eBay has a selection of flamingo statues and lawn ornaments you can pick as decorative accents for her space. Place these statues on the lawn, near your tea table, or on the patio to add a pop of color. You can find them in colors like pink, gray, white, and more. If your mom loves spending her time in the garden, you can place a flamingo statue near her favorite spot to make her happy. You can even host a Mother’s Day brunch with a flamingo theme to surprise your mom! These statues are made using cement, wood, ceramic, resin, glass, and many other materials, so you can choose the one that suits your liking. If you are on a budget, you can check out the used options available on eBay before making a purchase.
Content provided for informational purposes only. eBay is not affiliated with or endorsed by any brand.
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Where To Buy Authentic Pink Flamingo Lawn Ornaments Designed By Don Featherstone
NO DISCUSSION OF MIDCENTURY LANDSCAPING IS COMPLETE without including the famous pink flamingo lawn ornaments designed by Don Featherstone. According to my online research, Featherstone is an artist who sculpted 750 products for Union Products, Inc., in Leominster, Mass., starting in 1956. He sculpted the iconic pink flamingos in 1957. They were based on National Geographic images, and they went on the market in 1958. The taller one is 30 tall when staked into the ground.
Where Can You Buy Pink Flamingos For The Yard
You can find pink yard flamingos on Amazon that come in a set of three. They are durable, made of high-quality plastic and solid iron legs to anchor them into the ground. This also allows them to withstand various weather conditions. These flamingos are designed to decorate wherever you wish to place them from home interiors to patios and backyards.
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Shell Or High Water And Happy Camper Locations In Fortnite
As the quest states, there are two locations to decorate with Fortnite flamingo lawn ornaments, with Shell or High Water directly north of Shifty Shafts and Happy Camper to the northwest of Tilted Towers. Both of these landmarks have eight possible flamingo lawn ornament locations, which is more than enough to complete the task in either area.
What To Do If Someone Keeps Stealing Your Pink Flamingos Decorations
Unfortunately, it is common that pink flamingo lawn ornaments are stolen. To deter theft from happening, it is best to place them in an area that is well-lit during all times of the day and night as they tend to be stolen under the cover of darkness. You can also install motion-activated sensor lights or doorbell cameras to keep an eye on your outdoor surroundings.
If you have a good relationship with your neighbors, you can also ask them to keep an eye on your property if you will we away or if theft occurs. While there are no large consequences for lawn ornament theft, it can feel personal if the birds are of sentimental value to you.
If theft is a recurring issue in your neighborhood and you have tried the aforementioned deterrents, you can reach out to your local police department for further guidance on property theft.
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They’re Still Made In The Us
Union Products, the original manufacturer, has long since closed, but HHC International purchased the flamingo molds. According to Retro Renovation, the company produced the lawn ornaments in Westmoreland, New York. Then, in 2010, Retro Roadmap revealed that Cado Products acquired the intellectual rights to the design and moved the production back to Massachusetts.
A Product Of Its Time
All three of the ornaments basic elements plastic material, pink color and the flamingo design have a particular relevance to the late 1950s.
The year 1957 was the year of Elvis Presleys Jailhouse Rock and the 57 Chevy, of popular plastic toys like Wham-Os hula hoop and the Frisbee all icons of midcentury nostalgia. The late 1950s also witnessed the solidification of a commodity-driven suburban way of life, along with a host of new anxieties over class and status.
In the postwar era, cheap, sturdy and versatile plastics were becoming an increasingly popular material for mass-produced commercial products, from Tupperware to Model 500 rotary phones.
Design historian Jeffrey Meikle discusses how this era was referred to as a new Rococo marked by extravagance, excess, and vulgarity. Many design and cultural critics pilloried plastic for its ability to easily depart from established design principles, though consumers and manufacturers kept the craze going.
The fad was clearly waning by the 1960s. In a famous scene from The Graduate, actor Dustin Hoffman expresses disillusionment in the great future in plastics.
And then theres the color pink. Art historian Karal Ann Marling explains that in the 1950s, pink was perceived as young, daring and omnisexual. She points out that popular celebrities like Mamie Eisenhower, Jayne Mansfield and Elvis Presley loved to incorporate pink in their wardrobes, their bedroom decor and in the case of Elvis their cars.
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The History Behind Pink Flamingos In The Yard
The pink flamingo aesthetic trend came about in the 1950s shortly after WWII. At the time, the color pink was synonymous with class. The unique, elegant appearance of flamingos afforded them their popularity as wallpaper patterns, home décor, and lawn ornaments.
In 1957, Don Featherstone designed the first pink flamingo lawn ornament named Diego. This decoration became an instant success, selling large quantities that eventually outnumbered the real birds present in the wild.
Originally, the lawn ornaments were sold in pairs with one standing upright and the other with its neck bent down in a feeding position. The popularity and success of the plastic pink flamingos earned Don Featherstone an IG Nobel Prize for Art in 1996. This award is granted as a parody of the Nobel Prize Awards but is notable nonetheless for its commentary on significant societal moments.
Is It Illegal To Put Pink Flamingos On Random Peoples Lawns
While it can feel like a shock to find pink flamingos suddenly in your yard, the intentions with which they end up there in the first place and by whom tend to prevent any serious concerns with legalities over these lawn ornaments.
They are not illegal and usually represent humor with a purpose from birthdays to fundraising for charities. The presence and purpose of pink lawn flamingos ebb and flow over the decades and as such, it is not common for people to have these birds handy to randomly prank strangers with.
Depending on the location, if it is proven that flamingos have been placed unknowingly with malicious intent, then police action may be taken but it tends not to be severe.
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Plastic Flamingos For The Yard
ABOUT THE PINK FLAMINGO SITE
WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR BEAUTIFUL PLASTIC PINK FLAMINGOS!
WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR BEAUTIFUL PLASTIC PINK FLAMINGOS!
WISHING EVERYONE A WONDERFUL, SAFE AND HEALTHY 2022!
Well, unfortunately, we are OUT OF STOCK of all flamingos as of April 2022. As is the case for a lot of suppliers, we have been impacted by Covid and the supply chain and are unable to reorder at this time. We wish we had better news but will keep everyone updated just as soon as we have more information as to when we might expect another flock to arrive. As of this time it doesn’t appear until 2023.
Flamingo Site is a family-owned Internet business that is dedicated to bringing folks a zany, wacky, retro slice of 50s Americana known as the Plastic Pink Yard Flamingo. We like to have fun and we like to make people smile and the Plastic Pink Lawn Flamingo does the trick every time. Orders ship Fed Ex Ground within 24 hours and arrive within 1-5 business days. Whether you are purchasing Pink Flamingos for yourself, as a gift, a gag, or for a summer pool party or Pink Flamingo Flocking Fundraiser, we will provide you with outstanding customer service. If you arent happy, we arent happy.
WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR BEAUTIFUL PLASTIC PINK FLAMINGOS!
WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR BEAUTIFUL PLASTIC PINK FLAMINGOS!
WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR BEAUTIFUL PLASTIC PINK FLAMINGOS!
Check out our reviews on Amazon!!
These are the best!
CURRENT SPECIALS
Fortnite Flamingo Lawn Ornaments Locations At Happy Campers
To kick off the Fortnite flamingo lawn ornaments locations at Happy Campers there are two by the RV on the south coast, then another in each of the two fenced triple RV parks and one between them by some folding chairs. Working east, there’s another beside the RV with telescope on the hill, and the final two are right next to each other around the campfire on the east coast.
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Does The Pink Flamingo Have Symbolic Meaning
Since their invention, pink flamingos have held many symbolic meanings. In the 1950s, the color pink was associated with prestige and class. Around the same time, there was a cultural fascination with elegant and exotic-looking birds so it was fitting that the pink flamingo became a popular aesthetic trend. Flamingos were associated with warm, exotic retirement destinations so having the birds as part of ones own décor represented some of that luxury.
After this, the pink flamingos became a symbol of low-brow humor that parodied the classism associated with the lawn ornaments. Social elites viewed them as tacky and so they took on a new identity for those who used them.
Some people continued to use them as preferred lawn décor and by the 1990s it was not uncommon to see lawns decorated with a plethora of these birds as a birthday greeting of sorts. When used for birthdays, the number of flamingos on the lawn matched the age of the celebrant.
In the mid-2010s, pink flamingos made a comeback as a charitable fundraising method called flocking. Many youth sports teams, churches, and other organizations would gather their community and place many pink flamingos on business or residential lawns. The birds would then be removed at a price for each one. At an extra cost, the person whose lawn had been flocked could find out who nominated them for the experience and they could then also pass the flocking on to someone else.
Are Pink Flamingos Considered A Prank Youve Been Flocked
Generally, pink flamingos are not considered a prank in the conventional sense. One could argue that they are a prank with a purpose whether it is to surprise someone on their birthday or to raise funds for charity in a method called flocking.
In 2016, it became popular for charitable organizations to connect with their communities and raise funds by placing flocks of pink flamingos in residential and business yards, removing them once a donation had been made.
For example, the charity called Humane Tomorrow allows you to pay a donation fee of as little as $25 to flock a friends yard. At your request, they will set up the flamingos in the late evening so the nominee wakes up to a surprise.
The flamingos are then removed at a cost for each bird. For an additional donation fee, the person who has been flocked can learn the identity of who flocked them and nominate someone elses yard for these birds to migrate to overnight and so on.
This became a popular fundraising method with many people wanting to participate in the areas it takes place. Donations can also be made to charities beforehand to spare ones lawn from being flocked.
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All Featherstone Flamingos Made Today Have His Names Inscribed Into The Mold
Yes: Featherstone flamingos are still available today! They seem to have been in continuous production since 1958, with just one yearlong gap in 2006-2007.
Get them on Amazon of course> > Featherstone flamingos here.
In 1987, Featherstone inscribed his name on the original molds, in order to differentiate them from knockoffs. Today, all the authentic reproductions being made will still have Featherstones signature molded into them. You can buy them for sale on Amazon look for the ones by Union Products they come in a pair Don Featherstones name is on the box.
Featherstone actually rose to lead the company. He retired in 2000, and continued to reside in Fitchburg, Mass. with 57 of his flamingos on his front lawn. Also, Wikipediasays that he and his wife have dressed alike for their entire marriage.
Don Featherstone died in June 2015. He was 79. The tributes poured in. His hometown newspaper, the Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise wrote a lovely, lovely story. The New York Times put his story on the front page. Rest in serene peace, Don Featherstone.
Unfortunately, Union Products closed in 2006 but fortunately, a year later a company named HHC International purchased the famous flamingo molds. Last I read, it produces from them today in Westmoreland, New York. There was a ton of news media attention on this story at the time.
Theres also a book written by Don Featherstone himself Its called Pink Flamingos Splendor in the Grass.
Long Live The Queen Of Camp
In 2009, in honor of the studentsâ 1979 prank, the Madison, Wisconsin, city council named the plastic pink flamingo the official bird of the city. And the esteemed lawn ornament lives on in Americana infamy, lending its name to bars, restaurants, casinos, and hotels from sea to shining sea they’re even included in the Smithsonian’s collection. The birds currently go for about $16 a set online.
This story originally ran in 2011.
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Fortnite Flamingo Lawn Ornaments Locations At Shell Or High Water
For the Fortnite flamingo lawn ornaments locations at Shell or High Water, there are two by the ornate fountain west of the house and another at the west end of the path. Two are at the entrance to the hedge maze with a further two inside, and the last one is in a small clearing to the south of the house.
Where To Decorate With Fortnite Flamingo Lawn Ornaments
Fortnite flamingo lawn ornaments can brighten up any area, but they’re in particular demand at the Shell or High Water and Happy Campers landmarks. If you’re working through the Fortnite quests before the season comes to an end then you’ll want to know exactly where to install these fancy bird decorations in those places, otherwise you could end up spending too long wandering around in Fortnite looking for the glowing outlines to interact with. We’re here to help with that, so here’s where to decorate Shell or High Water and Happy Campers with Fortnite flamingo lawn ornaments.
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Bright Pink Flamingo Yard Ornament
| Item dimensions L x W x H | 43.2 x 10.2 x 25.4 centimeters |
| Item package quantity |
- Classic style Flamingo yard and lawn bird ornaments.
- Set of two flamingos are made of sturdy pink plastic and feature great detail.
- Each flamingo stands on two metal feet – mounting rods .
- These flamingos stand up to 34 inches tall when staked into the ground.
- Flamingos are packaged in a clear plastic bag.
The Birth Of A National Icon
Perhaps not shockingly, the pink flamingo lawn ornament was invented in the same decade that polyester pants, pink washing machines, vinyl wallpaper, and Naugahyde lounge chairs were cool. Featherstone, a sculptor, was hired by Leominster, Mass.-based Union Products to make three-dimensional lawn ornaments. He created the first pink flamingo lawn ornament, his second assignment, in 1957.
According to Smithsonian, he used a National Geographic photospread as a reference, and it “took about two weeks to model both halves of the bird, brought into the third dimension by then-revolutionary injection-mold technology.”
When they first hit stores, the blushing birds cost $2.76 a pair and were an immediate hit in working-class subdivisions from the Redwood Forest to the Gulfstream waters.
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