The Candy Mansion

Words by Kelila Ritchie

Fall is by far my favorite time of year for so many reasons. The cinnamon brooms I keep in the nooks of my home, the cool breeze that might call for a light jacket and the openings of local Spirit Halloweens. It keeps me going throughout the year knowing I have the fall to look forward to.

Growing up, my family and I were avid fall lovers and fall festival goers. Though I have never really been one for the whole buy a pumpkin, create a huge mess, carving and gnats thing, I love, love, love a good fall activity. Since becoming a real adult, I have been on the hunt for fun, hands-on activities to get into with my other real adult friends that don’t require all the mess and bugs. And I found the perfect event: Sweet Pete’s Sugar Skulls and Tequila class.

This honestly was such a cute and laid back experience I would 100% recommend for date night, girls night or even as a cute solo date. I was greeted with an option, “margarita, paloma or just a shot?” The amazing Jeff Woodard did a phenomenal job at not only explaining the process with enough enthusiasm to keep everyone entertained and eager to want to know more but he also creates fun little cocktails to enjoy while you create (because who doesn’t love a fun, themed drink?) The history of sugar skulls comes from the Mexican holiday and traditions of Dia De Los Muertos or “Day of the Dead.” The sugar skulls represent a soul that has departed. Learning the history of the project made this experience all the more fun in my opinion. Sugar skulls are brightly decorated and placed on altars or graves to honor the return of a loved one’s spirit. This holiday is celebrated Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 and is known to be uplifting and energizing hence the use of bright colors on sugar skulls.

During my time spent at Sweet Pete’s, the one common misconceptions those of us taking the class had was that Sweet Pete’s was: a) only a children’s entertainment center of sorts; b) that there are only two floors. Contrary to popular belief (or maybe just the six of us in the class), Sweet Pete’s whimsical approach to the world of treats puts a smile on everyone’s faces regardless of age. When you walk in, so much catches your attention in the best way possible. You quite literally are walking into a monster’s mouth into an Alice in Wonderland sort of illusion. Honorable mention to the ghoul in the painting above the cashier’s register that’s holding a gummy worm-filled martini glass. Even more intriguing, on your left there is an entire restaurant with a full menu (something I was not expecting)!  Up the yellow brick road (to the nonbelievers of magic, stairs), there’s an ice cream parlor and a fully stocked candy store. Also on the second floor, you can watch how they make different types of candy and other desserts from above which is super cool. The third floor is where the Skulls and Tequila class took place which is also an event space, great for hosting parties.

In addition, the classes offered by Sweet Pete’s do vary. The classes also change with the seasons! For instance, the Sugar Skulls and Tequila class turns into the Hard Candy Candy Cane Class beginning Nov. 17 which you will likely see me at.

 I’m a sucker for fun, seasonal decorations especially when everyone participates. Sweet Pete’s is nothing short of fun and fantastical and should be on your fall bucket list! Whether you’re looking for something cute to do during the holiday seasons or just in the mood to tap into your inner child, this is the perfect spot.