If there is one food that uniquely identifies Six Flags over Texas, it has to be the Pink Thing.
Introduced in the mid 1960s, Pink Things have been around almost as long as the park itself. The Pink Thing’s longevity is a testament to its popularity, with many guests making its consumption a tradition with each visit.
Numerous vendors have supplied the bright, frozen concoction over its 50+ year existence. In this article we’ll take a brief look at the Pink Thing’s legacy, including some big controversial changes.
Old brochure displaying a Pink Thing
Photo: Shane’s Amusement Attic
Pink Buried Treasure
Originally the frozen treats were known as Pink Buried Treasure. Eating the concoction revealed a hidden figurine attached to the stick, a collectible for many.
When the bar’s original supplier left in the late 1960s, they took the “Pink Buried Treasure” name with them. Six Flags renamed the treats Pink Things since people would commonly ask to “have one of those pink things” when ordering.
Concoctions similar to Pink Things were sold as “Cherry Berry” bars at neighboring Six Flags parks over the years, created by a number of suppliers. One reported former manufacturer was Borden Dairy.
The Big Change
Perhaps the most drastic change for the Pink Thing came in 2011 — Six Flags over Texas’ 50th anniversary. For such a banner year, Pink Things were oddly absent for the first 3 months of the park’s season, and once they finally did show up they barely resembled the Pink Things of years past.
Blue Bell-produced Pink Things offered prior to 2011.
Photo: Dallas Observer
Suddenly the inverted cone-shaped, neon pink, ambiguously-flavored treat was a pale, cotton candy-flavored push-up pop. Six Flags had changed Pink Thing suppliers from Blue Bell to Schwan’s for unspecified reasons. The hidden figurine on the stick was also a thing of the past. The only resemblance to the prior Pink Thing was in name only.
Guide to SFoT contacted Blue Bell to clarify why they stopped supplying Pink Things to Six Flags. Blue Bell explained they discontinued the Buried Treasure Bar (as they called it) because it was their lowest volume and least efficient product to manufacture. They also referenced the flavor of their Pink Thing as “tutti-frutti,” not cherry as commonly assumed.
The change did not bode well with many guests, many yearning for the prior version and peeved the park was trying to pass off the push-up pop as a Pink Thing. Beyond the manufacturing difficulties, a return to Blue Bell supplying Pink Things is unlikely.
Sign advertising the push-up style “Pink Things” in 2016
2018: The Dippin’ Dots Pink Thing
Six Flags over Texas’ signature treat underwent yet another major change in 2018 when the park replaced the push-up style of Pink Thing with a special Dippin’ Dots flavor.
Sign for Pink Thing-flavored Dippin’ Dots
Perhaps the biggest leap in the continuation of Pink Things yet, the Dippin’ Dots version of the perennial novelty still provides that deliciously ambiguous artificial flavor that leaves you questioning, “Is it cherry? Strawberry? Tutti-frutti?” Or just the flavor embodiment of the color pink?
Pink Thing flavor of Dippin’ Dots
Future of the Pink Thing
Six Flags over Texas is sure to keep selling some version of Pink Things as long as guests keep buying them. Given its past, it’s safe to say the Pink Thing’s future flavor and look are always open for change. And despite the treat’s changes over the years, sales remain strong. Its endearing name conquers the the treat’s frequent flavor and shape-shifting changes, and eating one is still a mandatory part of visiting the park for many.
And for those that miss that classic, Pink Thing flavor before the park changed them in 2011, many report Dairy Queen’s cherry-flavored Starkiss bars taste very similar.
Edit: Check out our follow-up article from mid 2019, Return of the Pink Thing
The Watermelon sherbet made by H.E. B. grocery chain currently is the best flavor & texture of the 60″s 70’s era “Pink Thing”
For the ultimate experience, use a 6oz. Dixie cup or (or equal) and an old plastic “pink thing” stick (if you were a collector) or a wooden popsicle stick. Let the sherbet soften then fill the cup up and freeze.
Insert stick through the bottom, then peel off paper cup except for the bottom (helps with dripping) and enjoy!
Hey Marc, without seeing your comment, we picked up some of the HEB watermelon sherbet and independently came to the exact same conclusion — it really is like an old Pink Thing. Despite not tasting like watermelon whatsoever, it was a welcome surprise.
Are there any similar recipes for making your own? If so, I’d love a copy.
Please bring back the original Pink Things and the Six Flags character surprise after you finished eating them to save as a souvenir. The original flavor and size of them as a kid was amazing and made a hot day seem more bearable. I’d buy them at the store if they would go on the market to buy especially during the hot summer months.
You Don’t Mess Around With the Pink Thing
Paraphrased Song by Jim Croce
You don’t tug on superman’s cape
You don’t spit into the wind
You don’t pull the mask off that old lone ranger
And you don’t mess around with the pink thing.
I agree with Bryn that really sucks that they never know the cave because that was like the best thing there besides the pink things I was lucky my aunt work for Bordon’s and she would bring the pink things home to us the best things they have to go away
You changed The Pink Thing!!! you don’t change The Pink Thing! That’s like Disney World getting rid of Pirates Of The Caribbean!
I miss those very same things. The Fiesta Ride, as I call it, was my favorite & loved the Speelunkers & LaSalle too. Always got the original Pink Thing as well. Also miss the Krofft Puppet show & Southern Palace shows. Really miss the Six Flags of the 60s & early 70s when the park was themed.
I miss the original Pink Thing! It was one of the things that made Six Flags “Six Flags”. I also miss the Texas Themed areas and rides. Each area was so clearly defined with sights, rides & sounds. It is so commercial now. I miss hearing “La la la, Fiesta!” as I enter the park. I miss La Salle’s boat ride with commentary. I miss the Spelunker’s Cave and its bizarre looking creatures. I feel sorry for the kids who will never know the pure joy Six Flags used to be! Now it is just a Thrill Park – no history at all.
Last time I had one approx 3 years ago they were certainly not what I remembered as a child.
Yep, those would be the push-up kinds that are definitely different.