Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Aunt Jemima Pancake Race Part Two

Some more images from the Aunt Jemima Pancake Race. The lady in this first photograph is just so graceful and determined in this shot. The pancake is doing quite a flip as she positions her body just so.

The next two images show the actual race on Main Street. Some nice details in the background on the first one including a Monorail and Submarine Voyage poster up at the Opera House.

I like the observer in the background wearing his train conductors hat. And the crowd is really getting into the race. I believe the pancake had to be flipped high enough to pass over the ribbon strung across the street. This must have been quite the competitive sport back in the day. I am sure these ladies had special trainers and diets to compete.

Here is a winner from 1960 receiving her $100 check for winning the California race. I believe the two gentleman are from Quaker Oats. According the official web page for Aunt Jemima, Aylene Lewis was the actress who portrayed Aunt Jemima at Disneyland.

3 comments:

Major Pepperidge said...

This is the race that would bring dignity and honor back to the Olympics (assuming there are no steroid scandals)! $100 was probably like winning $1000 today!

I have a photo of an Aunt Jemima at Disneyland who is not this woman, so obviously there were at least two Auntie J's!

sroden said...

the two photos with the pancakes in the air are incredible! why don't we have dopey games and contests like this anymore!!! great stuff.

Peter VINCENT said...

AHA!! Proof positive that people in this country, at one time, did have a sense of humor.

What great photos!
Thanks.

PeVi