Jumbo Jay Mascot: A Symbol of School Spirit

The Jumbo Jay mascot is an iconic symbol of school spirit at the University of Kansas. Jumbo Jay is a blue jay bird character that represents the university's athletic teams and is highly visible at games and events. The mascot is known for its vibrant blue feathers and energetic personality. Jumbo Jay first made its debut in the 1970s and has since become a beloved figure among students, alumni, and fans. The mascot is not only seen at sporting events but also makes appearances at campus activities, pep rallies, and community outreach events. The name "Jumbo Jay" is a playful nod to the blue jay's large size and its connection to the university's Jayhawk mascot.

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Plug it into the nearest power outlet for hassle-free activation and just be sure to place it somewhere covered, if you re putting this guy on display outside. Its posable legs and motion-activated effects also intensify as people pass by, while its durable waterproof construction ensures it ll hold up against the elements when displayed on your lawn.

The name "Jumbo Jay" is a playful nod to the blue jay's large size and its connection to the university's Jayhawk mascot. The combination of the two mascots represents the university's fierce competitiveness and commitment to excellence in athletics. Jumbo Jay's role extends beyond just entertaining the crowd.

Home Depot Halloween Decorations Are the Best Decorations: Here’s 10 of Our Faves

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For some, the coming of fall means PSLs and family hayrides. But if you’re anything like us, it means preparing your home for the most [spooky] time of the year. Indeed, Halloween is right around the corner, and Home Depot is hiding a slew of can’t-miss decor. We’re talking everything from giant-sized spiders and clowns to jack-o-lanterns—and of course, tons of motion-activated characters with red LED eyes. So, if you're goal is to be the most terrifying house on the block this year (or you’re simply looking for a few festive pumpkins), see below for 10 festive additions you won’t want to miss before they inevitably go out of stock.

Home Accents Holiday

• Pros: Affordable price-point, easy to click into place, high-quality materials
• Cons: On/off switch has no timer, batteries wear out quickly

Looking to create your own haunted house this year? Try using this six-pack of LED Skeletons that stand five-feet tall (an alternative to the brand’s best-selling Giant-Sized Skeleton, which is currently out of stock). Each is crafted with adjustable limbs, where you can manipulate their poseable arms, legs, hands, and feet into various positions (aka perfect for suspending on porches, ceilings or doorways). They’re also enhanced by red LED eyes for an extra eerie touch—and a battery-operated design ensures cord-free placement anywhere in your yard.

Home Accents Holiday

• Pros: oversized, realistic design with hairy legs, adjustable posable legs, easy to assemble
• Cons: sound is loud, joints can be difficult to move/prone to breaking

Get ready to send shivers down your neighborhood’s spine with this eight-foot colossal spider. The lifelike creepy crawler is perfect for parties, boasting motion sensors that trigger sound when people pass by and realistic detailing, including hairy legs and eerie glowing LED eyes (battery operated). Its posable legs and motion-activated effects also intensify as people pass by, while its durable waterproof construction ensures it’ll hold up against the elements when displayed on your lawn.

Home Accents Holiday

• Pros: lights have a timer, flame flickers so it looks real, battery operated
• Cons: charge on the battery doesn’t last long

Set the stage for a spooktacular walkway with this three-pack of LED Jack-O-Lantern lights with timers. The pumpkins emit a festive, eerie glow, while the timer function ensures they illuminate after dark and switch off during daylight. They’re intricately crafted, featuring meticulous rotted finishes and creepy grins, while the weatherproof LED lights are battery-powered (so no need for ugly extension cords on the lawn). Simply stick them along the walkway with the included stakes for quick installation.

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• Pros: voice sound effects are loud and clear, simple set up, motion activated movements are realistic, eyes light up
• Cons: might need to use filler to keep it upright/prevent from hunching over

What would spooky season be without a clown that triggers your PTSD from It? With adjustable arms and a head fitted with motors, the clown’s movement is also enhanced by spine-tingling pre-recorded phrases, like: “Hey! You look familiar… maybe that’s because I’ve been hiding under your bed.” A built-in motion sensor triggers LED lights, sounds, and animatronic motions, while the eyes are brought to life by menacing red LEDs. The adjustable stand, composed of collapsible plastic and metal rods, ensures that it will also hold up against the elements (and be super easy to disassemble and store for Next year).

Home Accents Holiday

• Pros: pumpkins are weighted so they won’t fall over, stack inside of each other for easy storage, weather resistant and won’t chip over time
• Cons: fragile and prone to dents and scratches

Painted in customary black, orange and white and adorned with stripe, diamond, and dot patterns, these creatively designed pumpkins will be sure to bring a festive touch to your décor. The stackable, various-sized pumpkins can be used together or individually—and they even stack inside of each other for easy storage. Meaning, you can display them as a 3-set on your porch, or break them up to showcase on your mantel or kitchen table, since the pumpkins are suitable for both indoor and [covered] outdoor use.

Disney

• Pros: high-quality construction, smooth motion-activated movements, plastic mechanism over the base prevents the dress from gettingcaught, loud speaker, includes step pad
• Cons: no assembly instructions on the box (have to look online)

OK, Halloween cinephiles, this one goes out to you. This animatronic takes The Nightmare Before Christmas to the next level with a six-foot, motion-activated Sally character you can display inside or on your lawn (in a covered area). It features swaying head and arm movements, elevating the scare factor—and the rendition of ’ally's haunting song from the film sets the perfect holiday tone. It’s also designed for durability, so she’s both sturdy and easy to disassemble for storage.

Home Accents Holiday

• Pros: solid and doesn’t shake or sway in the wind, realistic movements, volume control on the sound
• Cons: attaching the wings is difficult and might require two people

If you haven’t noticed by now, massive animatronics are a must-have if you’re going all-out with your Halloween decor. Enter: This 9-foot LED inflatable. Its motion-triggered mouth and head movements, accompanied by eerie growls, promise to unsettle trick-or-treaters—and the creature's massive 12.5-foot. wingspan, aglow in a menacing red, adds an extra layer of excitement. And of course, all you need is an exterior outlet to bring trigger this guy’s built-in motion sensors.

GERSON INTERNATIONAL

• Pros: creates an antique vibe, triggered flash bulb, speaks and plays music, battery operated
• Cons: no volume control

This antique-inspired camera boasts a motion detector that triggers a series of haunting effects: flashing bulbs, a red-glowing skull, and the playback of voices and the song "Somebody's Watching You," accompanied by a Grim Reaper image that pops up twice. It’s powered by three AA batteries (not included), and it’s a perfect small-space solution for anyone who doesn’t have space for a 14+ foot animatronic in their tiny apartment.

Disney

• Pros: animations make it lively, motion sensors work well, sound is loud and clear, arms can be moved in small clicks
• Cons: some found it flimsy and needed sand bags to keep it propped up

Another colossal character that’ll dominate your yard? This animated Jack Skellington, which carries an imposing 13-foot height. Sure, its movements have an uncannily lifelike effect, but the singing and dancing add a dose of playfulness (so you won’t give your elderly neighbors a heart attack). Either way, with interchangeable headpieces, glowing LEDs and motion-triggered features, it's sure to make for a standout attraction. Simply plug into the nearest exterior outlet to activate the built-in motion sensors, which bring this guy’s head and mouth to life.

Home Accents Holiday

• Pros: fog quickly fills large areas, easy to use with remote control, doesn’t leave stains on walls or furniture inside, can be mounted
• Cons: operates in short spurts

Powered by a 1000-watt motor, this coffin-shaped fog generator releases an eerie mist that packs a visual impact for your ghostly setup. It features a black coffin-shaped frame with chilling skeleton accents—and it’s equipped with a convenient remote control and integrated wired switch for easy operation. Plug it into the nearest power outlet for hassle-free activation (and just be sure to place it somewhere covered, if you’re putting this guy on display outside).

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Assistant Editor

Sydney Meister is PureWow's Assistant Editor, covering everything from interior design and dating trends (helloo, rizz) to relationship advice, weddings, real estate, parenting.

The mascot plays an important part in creating a sense of school spirit and unity among students and fans. It sparks enthusiasm and excitement, fostering a supportive atmosphere for the university's teams. The Jumbo Jay mascot is often seen performing entertaining routines and dances during halftime shows and breaks in the game. Its energetic performances, along with interactions with the crowd, help create a lively and engaging atmosphere for everyone in attendance. Overall, the Jumbo Jay mascot holds a special place within the University of Kansas community. It embodies the spirit and pride of the university's athletic programs and serves as a symbol of unity and support for students, alumni, and fans alike. Its vibrant presence adds an extra level of excitement to games and events, making it a cherished figure within the university culture..

Reviews for "Jumbo Jay: A Mascot with a Heart"

1. Sarah - 1/5 - I was extremely disappointed with the Jumbo Jay mascot. The costume looked old and worn out, and it definitely did not resemble a jay at all. The colors were faded, and you could barely tell what animal it was supposed to be. The performer inside the costume also seemed disinterested and lacked energy. Overall, it was a letdown and not worth the hype.

2. Mark - 2/5 - The Jumbo Jay mascot was just okay. The costume looked decent, but it seemed like it could use some improvements. The feathers on the head and wings were not well-defined and came off as cheap. Additionally, the movements of the mascot were stiff and robotic. It didn't create much excitement or bring much entertainment to the event. It definitely could have been better.

3. Emily - 2/5 - I was really excited to see the Jumbo Jay mascot, but it turned out to be underwhelming. The costume itself was fine, but the performer inside lacked enthusiasm and interaction with the crowd. It felt like they were just going through the motions instead of truly engaging with the audience. The interactions were generic and not memorable. I expected a more lively and engaging mascot experience.

4. David - 1/5 - The Jumbo Jay mascot was a complete disappointment. The costume was shabby and looked like it hadn't been properly maintained. The colors were faded, and the feathers were falling off. It was clear that not much effort had gone into making it presentable. The performer inside also seemed uninterested, barely moving and not attempting any engaging interactions. It was a waste of time and money.

The Making of Jumbo Jay: A Mascot for the Ages