Hammond's Candies, makers of unusually large candy canes, is upping the ante on the usual factory tours again this year with its eleventh annual Hammond's Candy Cane Festival, where the public will be treated to trolley rides, holiday arts and crafts, face-painting, caroling, cookie decorating and face time with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Mini-tours will be ongoing throughout the day, and guests are encouraged to watch the candy-making process.

"There's a glass window in the hallway so everyone can see the candy being made, and everybody gets a sample," says organizer Cami Stucker. So there's no super-secret room in the back where the confections are made by magical elves? Alas, says Stucker, no such room exists at Hammond's.

The company's most popular holiday candy is--surprise--candy canes. "Our peppermint candy canes are eight inches tall and a half-inch in diameter," Stucker says. "If you put one next to a regular dime-store candy cane, you'll see the difference." Bigger is almost always better.

Hammond's Candy Cane Festival will be held at the factory, 5735 North Washington Street, today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; admission is free. For more information, go to www.hammondscandies.com.
Sat., Dec. 10, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 2011