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Christmas in Candyland is putting a bow on the holiday season and the year of 2021 with a fireworks display for the local community on New Year’s Eve.

Candyland was extended until the end of December for the first time in the history of the event. The Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce will close out the annual tradition on Friday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. with fireworks at Springdale.

“Christmas in Candyland has been truly magical. It has been my honor to be a part of it. Seeing the faces of the children and families makes it all worth it. I would like to thank everyone who helps to make the magic happen. There is no way that we could do this without the partnership with the City of Andalusia and all the support from our community,” AACC Executive Director Laura Wells said.

Wells added that there were so many wonderful events at Candyland this year.

“Cocoa with Characters was just amazing, and we added a little beginning and ending show with Mickey and Minnie. Santa Visits and Meet Elsa are always big hits with the children. Our concerts and carol performances put everyone in the holiday spirit. I’m always amazed by the amount of talent we have here in Andalusia. The Christmas Spectacular put on a great show. We also had The Andalusia Ballet, The Company Dance Center, and the Andalusia Full Gospel Children’s Choir perform.”

The weather was hit or miss at times, but it did not dampen the moods of those attending. “Despite it raining on two Saturdays, we’ve had a really great turnout. It’s truly unreal how many out-of-town visitors we have come to enjoy Candyland,” she said.

The beauty of the town makes Andalusia the perfect place to have Candyland each year.

“We are blessed to have a lovely downtown and the breathtaking Springdale Estate as the locations for Candyland. Our town has really embraced the spirit of Christmas, and I hope to remind everyone how lucky we are to have something so special and unique as Candyland here in Andalusia. We like to think of our Chamber as a window through which people can see what all Andalusia has to offer. What better way for the world to see Andalusia than when we are beautifully decorated for Christmas,” Wells said.

Christmas in Candyland is a weekends in December event. However, since Christmas fell on a weekend this year, the Chamber decided to add additional dates including Dec. 30 and 31.

“We wanted to be sure to be open during a time when children and families are out of school. Elsa will come on both days from 5 to 7 p.m., and we will also have local musicians and bands perform on the Candyland stage. All our ‘attractions’ including winter skating, tubing slide, maze, carriage rides, snow shows, cottage play, and train rides will be open as well. We will close out Candyland with a ‘bang’ with fireworks on the 31st at 9 p.m. at Springdale to both celebrate the close of Candyland as well as the start of the new year,” Wells said.

The idea came to fruition after she and her family took a vacation. “We visited Disney World this past year, and they end the day with an amazing fireworks display. I thought it would be a wonderful way to close out Candyland this year. By being open longer, it created a unique situation where we could celebrate another holiday and not just Christmas.”

Plans are already in progress for Candyland during the 2022 holiday season. “I am looking forward to continue growing Candyland with both our beloved traditions as well as new and exciting ideas that I can’t wait to share,” she said.

The Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce is located at 700 River Falls Street. For more information e-mail laura@andalusiachamber.com, maggie@andalusiachamber.com, or call 334-222-2030.

“Andalusia has been described as a ‘Hallmark movie set’ and we look forward to continuing the magic that is Christmas in Candyland,” Wells said.