A nostalgic ice cream promotion brings oversized “UFOs” and discounted treats to East Coast locations.
Brooklyn, NY – A Carvel shop in Coney Island became the site of a themed “UFO crash landing” this week as the company launched a nationwide promotion celebrating the 75th anniversary of its Flying Saucer ice cream sandwich.
The activation featured oversized inflatable Flying Saucers placed outside select locations, including Coney Island, Massapequa, New York, and West Palm Beach, Florida. The campaign coincides with a one-day promotion offering the dessert for 75 cents on Friday, marking the start of spring and the traditional kickoff of ice cream season.
Promotion marks 75 years of iconic dessert
Carvel introduced the Flying Saucer in 1951 during a period of widespread interest in unidentified flying objects. The dessert, made with soft serve ice cream sandwiched between chocolate wafers, became one of the brand’s signature items.
“For 75 years, the Flying Saucer has brought generations of fans together over something joyful and delicious,” said Marissa Sharpless, Vice President of Marketing. “From Tom Carvel’s first roadside stand in 1934 to the creation of the Flying Saucer during the 1950s UFO craze, our brand has always embraced a spirit of imagination and fun. This crash landing is our way of celebrating that legacy and the joy of play that has always been at the heart of Carvel.”
Key Points
- Carvel launched a 75th anniversary promotion for its Flying Saucer dessert
- “UFO crash landing” displays appeared in Coney Island, Massapequa, and West Palm Beach
- Flying Saucers were sold for 75 cents for one day to mark the milestone
Historic locations chosen for campaign
The selected locations reflect longstanding ties to the brand. The Coney Island shop has remained in the same family for four generations, while the Massapequa location dates back to 1954 near Carvel’s Long Island origins. The West Palm Beach shop was used by founder Tom Carvel to test products and has operated under the same family ownership since the 1970s.
In addition to discounted treats, the three featured locations offered limited giveaways, including commemorative T-shirts for the first 50 visitors and themed stickers while supplies lasted.
The promotion continues through the weekend with discounted multi-packs for loyalty members and ongoing weekday deals, as Carvel uses the anniversary campaign to drive early-season traffic to its stores.