North Bellmore Public Library's life-size Candy Land offers players something sweet

Avid board game players likely remember the days in which they joined their family and friends, in a fun, whimsical round of Candy Land. First introduced by Hasbro, Inc. in December 1949, about one million copies per year are sold — showing that 73 years later, the love for Candy Land has withstood the tests of time.

That was abundantly clear on May 6, because at the North Bellmore Public Library, kids in all different age groups were able to play a life-sized version of the popular board game, visiting a version of Candy Cane Forest and Gumdrop Mountain, all without having to leave Bellmore.

A traditional Candy Land board consists of 134 spaces and several locations. All players are required to do is pick up a card, and follow the directions along the way. The first player to reach King Kandy wins the game.

It was all fun and games in North Bellmore, as its younger patrons got to part take in an earlier session on Saturday, followed by a group of older kids. Hopping their way around the board, it was just like any old game of Candy Land, except this time, supersized.

The library said it was happy to host such an exciting event, and hoped its young patrons enjoyed visiting the various characters and lands that make the game so special.