In the middle of the Ben Wigfall Project last year, my boss Lara Giordano proposed her idea for the D.R.A.W.’s first inaugural fundraiser to the PUGGs. We were surprised to hear that her idea was a party themed around Jell-O. Jell-O shots, Jell-O merchandise, Jell-O sculptures, and Jell-O music would all be present. It was such a random and whimsical concept for an event, and it was genius. Some parts of Lara’s idea were hard to visualize, like a Jell-O chorus, but we all wanted to bring the idea to life. The members of PUGG were in love with the idea of a Jell-O Jamboree; it engaged the imagination.
Early on in the development stages of the Jell-O Jamboree, the members of PUGG had a brainstorming session. We all got ourselves paper and pens and drew whatever Jell-O inspired thought we could think of for the Jamboree. I wasn’t afraid to get absurd, trying to visualize all sorts of Jell-O-related concepts. For example, Jell-O molded into hats that could be worn. In another idea, portraits could be made from your face using Jell-O imprints. My ideas ultimately weren’t used in the event, but the brainstorming session just went to show how fun the design process was.
From then on, we had a solid plan - it was all a matter of putting together the pieces. The centerpiece of the Jell-O Jamboree was a Jell-O sculpture contest. We invited various local artists to create their own Jell-O sculptures, which would be subject to voting from the attendees. One sculptor I know was Erin Dougherty, who presented a necklace of yellow Jell-O rings and red Jell-O baby faces. She was my biased choice to win the competition.
The decorations and merchandise for the Jell-O Jamboree were made possible by the PUGGs. The signs were handmade using their artistic eye. The check-in sign was made by me. The letters are round and colored warmly to represent the typical colors of the fruity flavors in Jell-O. I secretly named the dancing people between the letters the “Jell-O Fellows.” Nick Carroll and Aurora Brush did the screen printing for the Jell-O Jamboree’s colorful t-shirts and banners. Nick would go on to also create the “Jell-O Wrestlers” pins for sale and the golden “Jell-O Duty” sashes that PUGGs wore during the event. Kerry Madison created original prints to be sold during the Jamboree as well, using Jell-O to make them. The colors and patterns were especially energetic and colorful. An especially popular piece was a stand made by Micah Fornari depicting a Jell-O sheep and its shepherd, with holes cut out for the faces. To really celebrate the work that PUGG has done, large digital prints of professionally done portraits of the PUGG members were hung over the Jell-O sculptures. The pictures of us were taken by the talented Kelly Sinclair.
The Jamboree was held at the Fuller Building across from Kingston’s YMCA. They generously gave the D.R.A.W. use of the lobby area and stage in the back, as well as a room where all of the Jell-O sculptures were kept. The DJ was set up on the stage. Food, drinks, and merchandise were available in the lobby. I arrived just after the party had begun. Energetic dancing music pulsed all the way through the building. The place was packed. The turnout was overwhelmingly high and it was satisfying seeing all the attendees partake in Jell-O shots, buying our merch, and spinning the prize wheel. The prize wheel was especially popular and we had to recycle tickets a couple times to keep up with demand.
I’m no extrovert, so the high-energy scene tends to wear me out. It was really impressive how the whole place managed to be so alive for the entire duration. There were so many people that I’ve met through PUGG in one place that it felt like a crossover episode from a TV show. Through being able to see everyone and have us all in one place celebrating PUGG and the D.R.A.W., I felt really empowered. The winners of the Jell-O sculpture contest were chosen, and given the bright, paper mache trophies that us PUGGs had made, complete with lots of Jell-O as a prize. Eryn Stutts received 3rd place for their moody Jell-O cake. Sofie Barbaresco, pictured below, won 2nd place for her blue figure encased in Jell-O. Jason Mones won the first prize for his colorful striped sculpture. The event ended with high praise for PUGGs and for Lara Girodano and Beth Humphrey, who made the entire event possible and have been guiding PUGG for years.
By the end of it all, we were counting donations and throwing out the Jell-O sculptures. It was late, and we were all tired, but we had to take everything down. It was poetic, cleaning up the mess of a celebration made to help fund us. In the midst of carrying tables and picking up stray napkins, I felt a deep love for this community I was apart of. PUGG really has the resounding support it deserves, and in turn we will continue to work. I would never have expected Jell-O to lead me down that train of thought, but I’m grateful it did. However, I’m a little sick of the taste!
