Andalusia aims to make Candyland even sweeter in its second year

Published On: 06.28.16 |

By: 1610

Andalusia aims to make Candyland even sweeter in its second year

Feature

Andalusia's Candyland Christmas holiday attractions will include the Tubby Polar Bear Slide this year. (Andalusia Star-News)

Christmas is half a year away, but there are good reasons to be excited: It’s going to be better than ever this year in Andalusia.

In addition to snow shows, ice skating and a train ride, there will be a Polar Bear Slide and lighted train tunnel, as well as enhanced decorations.

The Andalusia City Council last week agreed to spend up to $140,000 to buy the equipment it has leased the past two years for Candyland, and additional attractions.

Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chrissie Duffy said, “For the past two years, we have rented everything we use. For just shy of double what it costs to rent it, we would already be done paying with it.

“I think the evidence shows this is an event that will stick around,” Duffy said. “We’ve done some really great things as a community. I think in order to keep doing it, we need to consider investing some money into it.”

Scenes from Candyland in Andalusia. (Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce)

Children prepare to hit the ice at last year’s Candyland. (Andalusia Star-News)

Kindergarten students try to catch snow on their tongues at last year’s Candyland. (Andalusia Star-News)

Abby Little and Alex Langston from McKenzie wait in line to skate at last year’s Candyland. (Andalusia Star-News)

Andalusia Elementary School principal Alane Brunson at last year’s Candyland in Andalusia. (Andalusia Star-News)

Ankina Hall at last year’s Candyland in Andalusia. (Andalusia Star-News)

One of the small Springdale village homes from last year’s Candyland in Andalusia. (Andalusia Star-News)

Connor McDonald learned ice skating is harder than it looks at last year’s Candyland. (Andalusia Star-News)

Children enjoy last year’s Candyland. (Andalusia Star-News)

The Candyland Express will return this holiday season. (Andalusia Star-News)

Lexi Brown plays in the market playhouse at last year’s Candyland in Andalusia.

Maddie Courson, Valarie Tomberlin and Ava Tomberlin ice skate at last year’s Candyland. (Andalusia Star-News)

Everyone enjoys ice skating. (Andalusia Star-News)

Miles Crawford with his grandmother Donna Hutcheson at last year’s Candyland. (Andalusia Star-News)

One of the small Springdale village homes from last year’s Candyland in Andalusia. (Andalusia Star-News)

Ice skating will return to this year’s Candyland. (Andalusia Star-News)

Kindergarten students try to catch snow on their tongues at last year’s Candyland. (Andalusia Star-News)

Scenes from last year’s Candyland in Andalusia. (Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce)

Madison Castleberry, Victoria Scherf, Ashley Gonzalez, Shakeria Lovelace, Alicia McClain and Sam Jackson await the Candyland Express at last year’s event. (Andalusia Star-News)

The Candyland Express will return this holiday season. (Andalusia Star-News)

Scenes from last year’s Candyland in Andalusia. (Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce)

For example, Duffy said it will cost $32,000 to purchase the skating rink and skates.

“Last year, it cost $16,000 to rent it, and we had to box it up and send it back before the holidays were over. This way, we’ll be able to run it all five weekends in December.”

Skate and tube rentals will generate income to help defray purchase costs, and there are opportunities for additional sponsorships, Duffy said.

The council agreed to purchase:

Snow machines mounted on lamp posts for the Square.
An ice skating rink and 120 pairs of skates. The rink could also be set up in the gymnasium and used to teach hockey during the APPLE program.
Lighting for the skating rink.
A lighted train tunnel.
Tubby Polar Bear Slide, which includes 45 custom-printed inner tubes and two 100-foot slides.
Theme decorations for the entrance sign near Wells Fargo, the Square entrance to Candyland, Springdale entrance and City Hall lawn.
New signage.

Duffy said Andalusia Health CEO John Yanes has committed to buy similar Christmas decorations, and other businesses are also being approached.

“This way, we match all throughout the city,” she said. “I think it will add a lot to the event.”

The decorations are being manufactured locally by Burr Industries, she said.

“In my opinion, Andalusia is going to be in the position of being the Christmas city of Alabama,” Mayor Earl Johnson said. “This year. We’re not talking about in a few years; this year.”

Johnson said smaller cities like Greenville and Monroeville are already “chasing us.”

He said Andalusia has an opportunity to “step out” and establish itself as a December destination.

“Instead of hundreds, we could attract thousands,” he said.

This story originally appeared in The Andalusia Star-News.