Tag Archives: merchandise

Ashville Viking Festival in Ohio

Searching for local festivals to attend in Ohio this year, I added the Ashville Viking Festival to my list.  I mean, who doesn’t want to watch grown men joust and eat turkey legs for the afternoon?

Nearly an hour’s drive from Columbus, I arrived in the afternoon, just in time for a joust.  Mesmerized by the costumes and incredibly large horses, I watched two men prepare to battle it out in their suits of armor and shields.

With the help of step stools, they mounted their horses and made their way to opposite ends of a long fence until given the signal to begin.  A loud whistle sounded and their horses rushed towards each other as the men positioned their jousts using their shields for protection.

As each rider approached each other, there was a loud sound as their jousts made contact with one another’s shields.  Luckily, they managed to stay on their horses reaching the opposite end of the fence.  They continued on with their duel for a few more runs and were ready to dismount and remove their armor.  I was happy to see that no one was hurt and went in search for lunch.

Several tents were set up with medieval merchandise and various food stalls as well.  From costumes for adults and children to commemorative items, it was the children that were having the most fun dressing up as knights.

The craftsmanship of the costumes was absolutely beautiful. With clothing made from leather and chains to t-shirts and kirtles and gowns, the items were exquisitely designed. Since shopping works up my appetite, it was time to go in search of lunch and with a cafeteria around the corner, I was looking forward to looking over the menu.

Luckily, I needn’t look much further for the turkey leg I had been craving since my arrival. Bon Appetit!

Have you visited the Ashville Viking Festival?  What was your experience?  I would love to hear about your visit if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my afternoon at one of Ohio’s many festivals and wishing you many Happy Travels!

You can find more information about the Ashville Viking Festival by contacting their website at https://ashvilleohvikingfestival.com/.

Touring the Sweet Spangler Candy Company

I remember as a child I loved Dum Dums suckers and even more, I enjoyed saving the wrappers so I could send them in for some great merchandise.  From frisbees to t-shirts, there were so many exciting options.  But did you know that these amazing candies are made in northwest Ohio?  I set off for Bryan, Ohio to take a tour of the factory and learn more about the history of Spangler Candy Company.

Spangler Candy Company is a private confectioner making Dum Dum suckers, but the company didn’t start out selling confections when they purchased their company in 1906.  Arthur G. Spangler purchased the Gold Leaf Baking Powder Company and moved the company to Bryan where they made baking powder, laundry starch, baking soda, corn starch and eventually cough syrup. They named their new endeavor, Spangler Manufacturing Company.

Ernest, Arthur’s brother, joined the company in 1908 and suggested that they make candy. By 1911, they were making “Cocoanut Balls” followed by cream peanut clusters which were both a success.

By 1913, they moved the company to its third location, the present day facility at 400 North Portland  and in 1914 Omar joined the company which was now offering chocolates, hard candies, brittle, soda pop, assorted jellies, ice cream cones, sugar sticks and cough drops.

By 1922, Spangler Candy Company was making and selling over 60 different products.

With the tragic, unexpected death of Arthur in 1945, the company becomes a corporation.

By 1943, the company acquires the rights to Dum Dum pops, one of their best selling candies, starting with only seven flavors (lemon, lime, coconut, pineapple, cherry, grape and butterscotch).

Acquisitions continued until Spangler Candy Company broadens its portfolio to include candy canes, whistle pops, Saf-T-Pops and  Circus Peanuts and its most recent acquisition of Necco wafers, Canada Mints and Bit-O-Honey.

Spangler Candy Company created a store and museum which they opened to the public in 2005. The celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2006.  After grabbing a couple of samples, it was time for my behind-the-scenes tour on the Dum Dum trolley.

Boarding the trolley and wearing my protective hair net, I was ready to learn more  about Spangler Candy Company.  Unfortunately, the company does not permit photos of the production of their products, but Larry gave me a thorough tour to see where one of my favorite candies is manufactured.

Clearly the Dum Dum Original Pop is so popular that Spangler makes over 2 million of them each year. One single batch makes 12 – 14,000 Dum Dums and new pops are based on 400 different available flavors.  So what is the Mystery flavor???  This is the combination of the flavor from the last batch and the that of the next batch as the production of one flavor to another runs continuously, mixing the two flavors together.

I was so thrilled to have toured this iconic confectionary and was excited to see the placards outside denoting the additional flavors and the year in which they were created.  Can you guess which one is my favorite?

Which is your favorite Spangler candy?  I would love to hear if you have toured this magnificent candy company and your thoughts about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my experience at Spangler Candy Company and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Spangler Candy Company
400 North Portland Street
PO Box 71
Bryan, OH  43506
Telephone:  419 636 4221
Website: www.spanglercandy.com

Where to Stay:

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bryan-Montpelier
13399 OH-15
Holiday City, OH 43543
Telephone: 419 485 0008
Website:  www.colonialmanormotel.com

Where to Eat:

Four Seasons
233 South Main Street
Bryan, OH 43506
Telephone:  419 636 1818
Website:  https://www.facebook.com/fourseasonsbryan/

Where to Drink:

Father John’s
301 W. Butler Street
Bryan, OH 43506
Telephone:  419 633 1313
Website:  https://www.fatherjohnsmicrobrewery.com/

What to Read:

  • A Sweet Century: The 100-Year History of Spangler Candy Company and the Spangler Family, Bryan, Ohio, by William L. Culbertson