The Psychology of Parade Candy – Why We Crave It on the Sidelines
What Makes Us Want It?
With lively music, beautiful floats, and more candy than you can shake a stick at, parades are exciting for the entire family. It’s no wonder they are considered a classic American tradition.
In central Ohio, where most parades occur, there have been no significant injuries due to thrown candy. And most of those who a float has struck are children passing out candy, walking next to the vehicles or hopping on and off – not impulsive kids running into the road for a sweet treat.
That’s why it’s essential to remember the audience when choosing wholesale parade candy. Choose soft, small, and easy-to-handle treats like individually wrapped Dum Dum Lollipops or a bag of fun-size M&M’s. Avoid anything too hard or chewy that could be a choking hazard.
How Do We Know We’re Getting Too Much?
Occasionally, it’s true that kids do run into the road to get candy and are hit by a vehicle or a float. But such incidents are rare. And in many cases, the people who are hit are handing out candy—not the kids scrambling for it in the street.
Some organizers hope to reduce the chance of an injured kid getting hit by a passing vehicle or trampled by people trying to get the candy. They also want to make sure everyone can enjoy the parade. And they’re right to do so.
Why Do We Crave It?
Tossing parade candy to spectators has been a great American tradition for as long as there have been parades and candy. It makes parades fun and memorable for countless children (and adults) and is a significant part of why people go to parades in the first place.
However, many parade organizers now discourage or outright ban throwing candy due to some injuries and accidents when kids run into the street to grab a Tootsie roll or other sweet treat. They claim this is for safety reasons, as kids running into the road to grab a piece of candy can get hit by floats and other parade vehicles.
This is an understandable concern, and safety must always come first. However, banning parade candy is a mistake. It is going to make parades less fun and memorable for a lot of kids.
Is It Bad for Us?
Many parades across the country discourage or outright ban candy throwing. In some instances, spectator injuries have occurred due to this practice.
But experts say it’s essential for parents to exhibit a bit of caution rather than imposing bans on parade candy-tossing. They recommend that children — especially those in strollers — stay away from the middle of the parade route, where the dangers are most significant. They should also monitor their belongings and ensure their kids are not running into the road to grab a piece of candy from passing vehicles or floats.
