Sweet Treats for the Holidays Celebration - Carousel Candies Benefit for Monterey County Fair Heritage Foundation

Get ready for the holidays with Carousel Candies on Old Fisherman’s Wharf’s holiday promotion, “Sweet Treats for the Holidays Celebration” during the month of December.  Whether it is a sweet treat for yourself or a thoughtful gift for a hostess or family member, Carousel Candies will offer 20% off of all purchases to locals who pay by cash, just with the mention of its Sweet Treats Celebration in December. In addition, a percentage of the proceeds of sales in December will be donated to the Monterey County Fair Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.  

Carousel Candies is also pleased to announce that in December, it will be debuting a new holiday treat, a rainbow-colored 6-foot candy cane created by co-owner Rick Elves who has more than 55 years as a trained and highly respected confectioner. Over the years, Rick has created many of Carousel Candies’ most popular one-of-a kind special homemade candies for generations of fans around the world. Carousel Candies is very proud to have been ranked "One of the Top 30 Candy Stores in America" by Relish Magazine.

Carousel Candies’ “Sweet Treat Celebration for the Holidays” benefiting the Monterey County Fair Heritage Foundation honors the fact that some of the sweetest tastes of the Monterey County Fair can be enjoyed 365 days a year at Carousel Candies, located adjacent to Old Fisherman’s Grotto on Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf.  Similar to Fair-time, there are caramel apples, cotton candy, fudge, caramel corn and more at this filled-to-the-brim special destination for holiday sweet treats. The Fair-themed collaboration also gives a “thumbs up” to the hot pink carousel that is the symbol and company name for Carousel Candies. Due to this special relationship and recognition of the importance of the Monterey County Fair Heritage Foundation that impacts thousands of fairgoers annually, Carousel Candies will be making a donation to the Monterey County Fair Heritage Foundation in early January, 2017 at the conclusion of the “Sweet Treat Celebration”.

Fabulous December Specials!

In December, all local customers will receive 20% off of their purchases including such holiday favorites as 3-ft homemade Candy Canes, Old Fashioned Ribbon Candy, fresh chocolate fudge, Fancy Fresh Caramel Apples and Christmas Salt Water Taffy and much more.

Founded in 1960, Carousel Candies (www.carouselcandies.com), is located at 31 Old Fisherman’s Wharf (next to Old Fisherman’s Grotto) in Monterey (831-646-9801). Carousel Candies is open 7 days a week from 9:30 AM – 11:00 PM for late night sweet cravings every day of the year. 

According to Carousel Candies co-owner, Rick Elves, “We are delighted to be helping the Monterey County Fair Heritage Foundation.   Elizabeth Elves, Rick’s wife of nearly 50 years and co-owner, adds “We always love going to the Monterey County Fair with our children and grandchildren and we are happy to help their Heritage Foundation! The Monterey County Fair provides so much to our local community and we love to support it!”

About Carousel Candies

Everyone who comes to Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf can rarely skip the experience of a fun visit to the internationally-known Carousel Candies. This colorful store features the mesmerizing antique taffy puller machine in its front window and the wide array of unique, handmade, delicious high quality candy creations on display.  

Locals and visitors alike are amazed at the wide assortment of special candies to choose from made from the highest quality natural ingredients with no additives.  The eye-catching old-fashioned pink candy-colored historic shop was featured on a Modern Marvels segment of the A & E History Channel and the episode is viewable on their website, www.carouselcandies.com, Customers now also enjoy watching the store’s new “Candy TV” on site which shows behind-the-scene candy-making plus these TV segments. Former news anchor, Romney Dunbar, has created a special program (also found on the website) showing what’s in store for all visitors to this not-to-be-missed candy destination!  Carousel Candies was thrilled to see photos in the 2015 Guinness Book of World Records showing their own world-renowned iconic candy store which was featured in the photo shoot of record holder Nick Stoeberl who had the world’s longest tongue that year.

Rick and Liz Elves have a strong passion for their job and who can blame them?  Rick Elves explains, “More than fifty-five years of creating chocolate and salt water taffy happiness for our customers has just sped by for us! Making chocolates and other candies fresh daily, that are created from the highest quality ingredients, and taking the extra time and effort to add delicious roasted nuts or other special ingredients that makes people happy, is so satisfying for me. My favorite thing to do is to invent new combinations that are bursting with sweet flavors, such as my very popular Sea Salt Chocolate Taffy and Peanut Butter Caramel. I enjoy making my own signature confections often based on old-time home-style recipes. Our traditional caramel corn is drizzled with high quality chocolate and has become a favorite among our customers for gifts and for themselves.”

Liz Elves, who is often found working at the store with their dedicated staff, remarks, “Seeing the loyal repeat customers throughout the years, and watching the children and our employees’ children grow up and bring their own children to Carousel Candies, is our own sweet reward! Life is short so why not enjoy some incredible chocolate as a non-guilty pleasure – just not too much at once since, with our Carousel Candies creations, a little goes a long way!”

Carousel Candies is a one-stop shop for a customized thoughtful gift for the holidays (or any day) that will brighten someone’s life with something delicious and satisfying. Carousel Candies ships anywhere in the United States from their Official Online Candy Store at www.carouselcandies.com. They also take orders online, or just call the knowledgeable Manager, Cheryl, at 831-646-9801 and she’ll make it easy to order and ship directly. Whenever possible, visitors to the Monterey Peninsula and locals should make the journey in person to this candy mecca that is open from 9:30 AM to 11:00 PM daily! (Locals are rewarded with 2 hours free parking from November 28th-December 23rd, 2016 too!)

For a great gift for the holidays, check out their beautiful Old Fashioned ribbon candy.  For a “sweet treat” for yourself, put together a customized festive holiday-decorated box or basket of smooth, creamy homemade chocolates  with or without fresh roasted nuts, including Carousel Candies’ Rocky Road sticks made with homemade fresh marshmallow, pecan rolls, turtles, giant lollipops, clusters, haystacks, gourmet fudge, or Belgian chocolate (including “healthier” dark chocolate) . Check out their famous caramel corn drizzled with chocolate, butter toffee nuts, Jellies, Jordan Almonds, cotton candy, gummies and much more. Try their Macadamia English Toffee smothered in rich white chocolate for a unique sweet surprise.

Carousel Candies also offers a wide assortment of tasty sugar-free chocolates and salt water taffy, and don’t miss tasting their delicious homemade sugar free turtles.

Take a bite of their fresh and delicious beautifully decorated apples featuring  hand-picked, extra fancy apples delivered fresh from the orchard, smothered in their famous, homemade, creamy caramel and then hand-decorated with premium chocolate and gourmet toppings. While entertaining for the holidays, just slice and serve to your happy guests! Another customer favorite is their Milk Chocolate Australian Dipped Apricots. Carousel Candies is the only manufacturer on Monterey’s historic Fisherman's Wharf hand-making Salt Water Taffy for over 55 years. A new popular item is Bubble Tea. Finally, for ice cream lovers, there are 16 flavors of Dreyers Ice Cream served in their own hand-made decorated cones.

If you just can’t make a decision, simply ask owners Rick or Elizabeth Elves or their helpful staff for their expert recommendations – you won’t go wrong with any of their amazing home-made sweet treats. For more information, call (831) 646-9801 or go to carouselcandies.com.

About the Monterey County Fair Heritage Foundation

The Monterey County Fair Heritage Foundation supports the functions of the Monterey County Fair and its mission. Primarily, the Heritage foundation funds capital improvements at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, often described as one of the most beautiful Fairgrounds in the country. The Heritage Foundation also funds special projects such as School Tour Day and Special Friends Day. The program benefits Monterey County through increased Ag literacy by educating school children about where their food and fiber comes from, encouraging health, nutrition and fitness. The community is urged to join the Monterey County Fair Heritage Foundation and receive great VIP benefits at the upcoming Monterey County Fair. Also, honor your loved ones by buying a brick in the Heritage Foundation’s Brick-a-Thon Campaign. For more information, go to www.montereycountyfair.com/heritage or call (831) 372-5863.