Satisfy your sweet tooth without getting into trouble with your dentist now through Memorial Day at Bishop Museum. The newly opened “Sweet: A Tasty Journey” dives deep into the history and science of candy-making with lots of opportunities to touch and taste along the way.
From a 3-foot-tall gingerbread house to oversized mosaics made of jelly beans and a biographical wall of candy innovators, there are aspects of the exhibit designed for all age levels.
“It almost looks like a Santa’s workshop of candy,” said Brad Evans, Bishop Museum’s director of exhibits and production.
“There’s a big rock candy mountain with a 15-foot-tall mound of chocolate, candy canes, jelly beans and lollipops with a cherry on top. No matter where you go, there’s something cool to look at, things to lift up, cranks to turn and buttons to push.”
‘Sweet: A Tasty Journey’
>> When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, through May 30
>> Where: Castle Memorial Building, Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice St.
>> Admission: $22.95 general, $19.95 for seniors, $14.95 for keiki 4 to 12 years old; kamaaina and military discounts available with valid ID; $5 parking fee
>> What it’s about: Anything and everything related to the production and sale of candy in the United States; get a history lesson, learn more about the ingredients that make up your favorite treats and discover how they are made.
>> Ages: Toddlers to adults will enjoy.
>> Kid-friendly aspects: Hands-on displays, enormous Candy Land game, in-house candy shop
>> Hands-on features: Step up and spin the Bamboozled wheel, which features combinations of Jelly Belly jelly beans that look the same but taste wildly different, or try your hand at stop-motion animation using candy-themed pieces.
>> Parents will like/won’t like: The diversity of features will appeal to teens and adults as well as younger kids, but a group of mixed ages might have difficulty moving through the exhibit at the same pace. And, it celebrates candy.
>> Estimated time to complete tour: 45 minutes to an hour
>> Presenter says: “It’s all about sweet treats,” said Brad Evans, Bishop Museum director of exhibits and production. “There are lots of great photo ops. It looks like a candy landscape. This is one of those exhibits where you can take your time and have the experience you want to have. If you want to learn, there’s lots of stuff to learn. I’m very pleasantly surprised with the amount of knowledge you can come away with.”
>> Visitor says: “It was very informational,” said Kailua resident Rhea White, 35, who was at the exhibit with her three children. “It’s a neat exhibit that’s good for older kids. The ones who can read will get more out of it.”
>> Info: 847-3511, bishopmuseum.org