By: Jenna Frisby
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jenna@thevillagereporter.com
Spangler Candy Company was established in 1906. However, it was in 1953 when Spangler bought Akron Candy Company which originally created the Dum-Dum sucker in 1924.
While Spangler Candy Company has six brands under their belt including Bit-O Honey, Circus Peanuts, Sweethearts, Necco, Spangler Candy Canes, and Dum-Dum Suckers; it’s the Dum-Dum’s that have been their staple since they took ownership of the sucker in 1924.
When they first bought the Dum-Dum sucker, it only featured seven flavors, now 71 years later, there are 30 flavors in total! While throughout the year, their variety features sixteen flavors, their seasonal flavors nearly double that number.
In celebration of 100 years of the Dum-Dum. Spangler Candy Company held a celebration which was first opened up to Spangler employees and family and features a free lunch for them.
After their employee celebration, Spangler’s held a commemorative photo op for anyone in the community to be able to be a part of.
The photo featured hundreds of individuals standing in front of Spangler Candy Company’s production facility all waving.
After the photo, the public was then welcomed to join in the celebration of Dum-Dum’s 100th birthday. The birthday party featured many activities including: bounce houses, an opportunity to collect all 30 flavors of Dum-Dums, a fun TikTok partnership with Flaunt Your Flavor where individuals got to put an image of their head on their favorite Dum-Dum flavor, food from Beached Boys of Angola, and multiple giveaways throughout the party.
Spangler’s also gave free cupcakes and ice cream to all those in attendance. A local bakery, Partners In Crime Catering made 3,000 cupcakes for the celebration featuring vanilla and chocolate all topped with different bright colored frosting, just like the different colors of Dum-Dum suckers.
The birthday party was certainly packed with members of the community joining in on all the fun there was. Spangler’s has certainly been a centered pillar to the community of Bryan, supporting a multitude of local community events.
Getting to see the community give back in taking time to celebrate a huge birthday for the company was something special.
Spangler Candy Company has also recently opened Spangler Candy World in the last year. Spangler Candy World is located in downtown Bryan and features even more history about Spangler Candy Company inside.
The Spangler Candy World also features several interactive displays for kids, games, a photo booth, and of course a gift shop where you can purchase all your favorite Spangler candy, especially those Dum-Dum suckers!
PHOTOS BY JENNA FRISBY / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
VIEW 42 PHOTOS OF THIS EVENT FOR FREE AT WWW.THEVILLAGEREPORTER.COM