Looking for something incredibly unique to do this Easter week? I'd suggest you pack up the family and take a short trip up the road to Westminster, MD. Every year in the weeks leading up to Easter, the Carroll Arts Council in Westminster, MD hosts a PEEP Show. No, not that kind of PEEP Show... a Marshmallow PEEP Show!
Nothing says Easter like a box of brightly colored PEEPS bunnies and chicks!
Photo above courtesy of PEEPS & Company Online Store
Started in 2008, the PEEP Show has quickly become one of the most popular events in Westminster, featuring wacky marshmallow full scale masterpieces and dioramas of the Easter candy.
This sweet event has over 145 works of sugary art on display. You can vote on your favorite entry. Entry is free, but be sure to bring a few dollars to buy voting chips and some PEEPS merchandise to fill those Easter baskets! All proceeds from the voting and PEEPS merchandise benefit the Carroll County Arts Council. Your votes count towards selecting the Grand Prize Winner and Audience Favorites. Vote chips are sold at the entrance in the following denominations - make sure everyone in your group has a handful!
$1 – 1 Vote Chip
$5 – 10 Vote Chips
$10 – 25 Vote Chips
$25 – 75 Vote Chips
$50 – 200 Vote Chips
Cash and all major credit cards accepted!
TIP: Don't spend all of your votes downstairs - there are 3 more rooms full of PEEP creations on the 2nd floor!
If you can't make it to the show, you can view the entries and cast your vote online HERE for $1 per vote.
I always think of my sister in law when I see PEEPS since they are her favorite!
DID YOU KNOW?
In 1953 it took 27 hours to make one Marshmallow PEEP. Today, it takes only 6 minutes.
There are over 5.5 million PEEPS made each day at the Just Born factory in Bethlehem, PA.
Capitalizing on the strength of the PEEPS brand, Just Born Quality Confections opened its first retail store in 2009 in National Harbor, MD. I visit every time I go to National Harbor. My favorite part about the store is that they sell all of the different Mike & Ike flavors and you can mix your own bag!
Check out some of my favorite entries from the 2018 Westminster PEEP Show, in no particular order -
The PEEP with a Pearl Earing
PEEP Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue
Pua and Hei Hei from Moana
Chloe's PEEPseria
PEEPmoji
Lady PEEPS on a Leaf
The PEEPS Avengers
Krusty's Wild Ride
The Very Hungry CaterPEEPer
PEEPer Rabbit
Tigger
Cherry PEEPS Blossoms
Bobsledding Bunnies
Hector: Day of the PEEP
O'PEEPing Day
Rainbow PEEP
Namaste PEEPS
PEEP-ie Boo
I'm Late, I'm Late, for the PEEP Show
After you have seen and voted for the creations, visit the movie theatre for a little PEEPS entertainment and PEEPS history. Maybe I shouldn't have thought it was funny, because when I see the ASPCA commercial on TV my heart literally breaks for those poor animals (we have a rescue pet in our household). But, the parody commercial for abused PEEPS featuring 'Sarah McLocklin' was pretty funny!
The PEEP Show runs from now through April 10th. I think it is a super "sweet" way to spend the day with family!
TIPS FOR VISITING THE WESTMINSTER PEEP SHOW:
The best way to beat the crowds is to visit on a day when schools are in session. We tried to attend last Friday and there was a line wrapping all the way around the side of the building in the pouring rain!
Afternoons are the best time of day to visit - according to the volunteers it is pretty empty at 4 p.m. each day.
Plan for about 1 hour to enjoy the displays.
If you have small babies, I recommend leaving the stroller behind and carrying them in a sling. It is a crowded event, attracting thousands of guests each day!
Bring your camera! Photos of the displays are permitted, but don't touch!
There is plenty of metered parking in downtown Westminster.
Admission is FREE, but this is a fundraiser, so bring some cash/credit to purchase voting chips and merchandise.
Don't spend all of your votes downstairs - there are 3 more rooms full of PEEP creations on the 2nd floor!
Do you have a favorite PEEP? The bunny or chick? I'm partial to the bunny, myself.
I hope you enjoy the Show!
xo,
Meredith