KINGSTON, N.Y. — It may wiggle. It may jiggle. But at this weekend’s Jell-O Jamboree, it’s art.
The fourth annual Great Jell-O Jamboree, hosted by the Midtown Kingston Arts District (MKAD), returns Saturday with what organizer Chris O’Neill calls “a fun, jiggly live event with all sorts of amazing activities for children and adults.”
At the center of the evening is the Jell-O sculpture competition — a showcase that has grown more ambitious each year. “It truly is amazing,” O’Neill said. “You will see some of these and the fact that they are technically edible Jell-O will not be believable — but they are. The work that people make is just mind-blowing.”
Nearly 30 artists are expected to participate, with entries ranging from abstract forms to pop culture references. Last year, one submission recreated the infamous duct-taped banana artwork by Italian conceptual artist Maurizio Cattelan — only this time, entirely in gelatin.
Beyond sculpture, the jamboree leans into its playful spirit. There’s a spin-the-wheel game that O’Neill describes as “one of the highlights of the event,” plus a much-anticipated “Jell-O ring toss.” Pressed to explain how exactly that works, O’Neill laughed: “You’re going to have to see in person. It has to be seen to be experienced.”
Of course, there will be plenty of Jell-O to sample, alongside other fare. For adults, the menu includes boozy Jell-O cocktails and specialty gelatin shots made with a local distillery, as well as beer and wine. Live music keeps the energy high, with Nova Darkstar bringing disco-infused new wave and R&B sounds, and Z Liberation with Sci-FiRE performing with illuminated props, hula hoops and fire.
While the tone is whimsical, the purpose is serious. The fundraiser supports MKAD’s pay-what-you-can art classes and its youth workforce program.
“Not only is this a super fun, great event, it really does support the work we do,” O’Neill said. “We pay our high school age interns to work in the arts. This goes directly to support their wages and we offer a wide variety of pay what you can classes. We want to make classes available to everyone regardless of what they can pay, and so by you buying a ticket, you’re going to help those workers and those classes run.”
Image: Jell-O creations from a previous Jell-O Jamboree. (MKAD)