Embark on Albany’s Candy Cane Crawl

The crawl first started as a way to highlight the candy cane legacy in our community, which first began in 1919 with Bob McCormack. As an investor, he saw potential in Albany, Georgia, for starting his candy company. After leaving his job at the Martin Biscuit Company and recruiting fellow investor Bob Mills, they headed to Albany and bought out a candy company, renaming it Bobs Candy Company. They brought minty sweets to the area and a variety of innovations, including break-proof packaging for candy canes.

Another notable invention was the Keller Machine, created by McCormack’s brother-in-law, which could perfectly twist and cut candy canes into their signature shape that we’ve come to know and love. By the 1940s, the company revolutionized the scene again by wrapping their candy canes in cellophane, preserving their freshness and increasing productivity. They continued growing in success and became a recognizable national brand by the 1960s. The company came to a close in 2005 when the McCormack family sold it to Farley’s and Sathers Candy Company, marking the end of a legendary era.

As for the Candy Cane Crawl itself, participating restaurants and businesses in Albany join in on the fun by creating themed sips and drinks. You’ll pick up a bingo card from any participating establishment and get started on your minty adventure with your friends and family! Past sips and sweets have included the Candy Cane Cocoa from Wonderfully Made, a Peppermint Swirl Cookie from Sugar Mama’s Bakery and many others. There will be a new addition of businesses for this year’s crawl offering specials on unique gifts, clothes and non-minty creations that patrons can check out.

After you visit each stop, you’ll receive a stamp and return your completed bingo cards to the Albany Welcome Center to claim an exciting prize, commemorating your Candy Cane Crawl experience! Stay tuned for this year’s announcement of participating businesses so you can start planning your sweet journey to Albany.