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LEOMINSTER, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Tacky. Tasteless. Kitschy. Say what you want about lawn flamingos, but definitely don't say it in Leominster: they can't get enough of the pink plastic birds.
Leominster is the birthplace of the lawn flamingo, which was invented there by artist Don Featherstone in 1957 for the Union Products company. In the spirit of all things salmon-colored and standing on one leg, Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella declared June 23 to be "National Pink Flamingo Day" in 2007, to commemorate the company after it closed.
Hundreds of people flocked to a flamingo-themed celebration in Leominster on Wednesday.
"Make some noise for the flamingos!" Mazzarella shouted to a cheering crowd. "I'm the mayor of flamingo-land!" he said.
The yard décor has earned itself fans — and angry homeowner's association letters — worldwide, and even has websites dedicated to it.
Mazzarella said the event is something the whole city can be happy about. "It's one thing everyone can have fun with and have a conversation with," he said.
Next on the to-do list: the mayor said he wants to erect a pink flamingo statue in the heart of Leominster's downtown.
Matt Shearer (@MattWBZ) reports:
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Written by Chaiel Schaffel