How to Make Cute Kids Sweeter? Just Add Candy
by Amanda Fornecker

 

A little angel was infatuated with her mother's fairy wings.
Elmo was too excited to stand still and pose for a picture.
A princess ran after Elmo in awe of seeing one of her favorite characters from "Sesame Street."
A sunflower bit down on her fancy new rain boots

What was this scene with such a wide cast of characters? It was TheCuteKid.com's sweet event at Dylan's Candy Bar in New York City on the day before Halloween 2008.

"We wanted to get everyone from the tri-state area together for a festive event for our readers," said Melissa Kay, manager of talent and casting relations at TheCuteKid.com.
Proud parents and costumed "cute kids" sweetly dominated Dylan's Candy Bar to meet TheCuteKid.com staff, score a giveaway or two, and -- of course -- enjoy some candy.
According to Ryan Prescott, director of marketing and advertising for Carter's, which donated a pair of Carter's rain boots to each child in attendance, the company was very happy to be a part of the event. "Carter's is an American icon. Every kid before the age of one, statistically, has worn something with the Carter's name. It's about trust and we're expanding our reach to footwear. We want our customers to know that we're still here supporting them through the years the way they have supported us. "One of the event's most heralded contests was another Carter's moment - this one for best costume, in which a pirate took first prize (a Carter's gift certificate).

That pirate was 21-month-old Rohan Gelber. For mom, Jane Gelber, a native of Sydney, Australia, the day was sugared with excitement for her son. "Even though I didn't grow up with [the holiday], I'm a big Halloween fan. I thought it would be fun for Rohan to dress up. He's having a great time!"
The children got to parade around in their costumes on the main floor for all Dylan's Candy Bar customers to see. Dana Rodio, a Dylan's Candy Bar buyer, said TheCuteKid.com event was definitely a success. "We had new customers come and see what Dylan's is all about. They got to be exposed to the party environment and see that we're more than just candy. Halloween lends itself to candy and we're certainly the perfect destination. We'd definitely do it again."