Kansas City is the corporate headquarters of Russell Stover Candies (the nation's leading manufacturer of boxed chocolates), so it's only fair that the company's home town gets some sweetness on Halloween.
Russell Stover Candies hosts its annual free Halloween Candy Giveaway Friday, October 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event, which has taken place for the past 11 years at the corporate headquarters just south of the Country Club Plaza, moves to a new location this year: the local flagship store at 2814 Shawnee Mission Parkway in Fairway.
Christi Jones, Russell Stover's in-store program manager, says the giveaway is for all ages. (I had to confirm that I could get some free candy myself.) Each participant gets a treat bag filled with, she says, "our most popular candy novelties."
How will the genteel Fairway Shops -- home of Rainy Day Books and Matney Floral -- deal with the madness of hundreds of hungry kids?
"We've organized it very well," Jones says. "The Fairway Police will be on hand to direct traffic and we've got it organized down to the last possible detail."
A free children's Halloween party is limited to actual children. Scheduled for Sunday, October 31, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Fairway store, the event includes face painting, games and special prizes for costume contests by age group (3 years and younger, 4-5 years, 6-8 years, 9-11 years and 12-15 years).
The Fairway Russell Store is open daily for people who prefer to buy their candy; the hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
