Halloween 2017: The Most Popular Candy In Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, MD — With Halloween two weeks away, it is time to stock up for trick-or-treaters. But what to buy? What are Marylanders’ favorite Halloween candies? Is this a state of chocolate lovers — think Hershey bar, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or Butterfinger — or are non-chocolate treats like Skittles, Lifesavers or candy corn more popular?

It’s a big deal for candy-makers and businesses leading up to the holiday. On a typical week Americans spend $300 million on candy, but experts say U.S. candy sales should hit $2.7 billion for Halloween 2017, studies estimate.

So, it's time to find the perfect Halloween costume and start watching your favorite spooky Halloween movies. And you need to stockpile candy to hand out. Online candy distributor Candy Store dug into its sales data from the past 10 years to find the top three best-selling candies in every state. While it's no surprise that classics like M&Ms, Snickers and Hershey's Kisses made the newly released list, wild cards like saltwater taffy and Swedish fish are a bit more unexpected.

In Maryland, that list says that shoppers buy Milky Way bars more than any other candy, followed by Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Blow Pops. The No. 1 and 2 slots were the same last year, but Skittles came in third in sales in 2016.

"Home to the Naval Academy, Maryland rules the seas and navigates by the stars. They must have developed their love for Milky Ways with all that staring up into the night skies," says the Candy Store website. "Maryland consumes over 38,000 pounds of Milky Way bars around Halloween. While Milky Ways are the reigning champ from last year as well, there is a new #3 in Maryland. Blow Pops have overtaken Skittles for the 3-spot of most popular Halloween Candy. So stock up on Milk Ways and give some love to the Blow Pops too."

»What is your favorite candy, Maryland? Tell us in comments.

And it all depends on where you live. Do you hail from Alabama? Be sure to have plenty of candy corn on hand. If you live in New York, Sour Patch Kids are the way to go.

In neighboring Virginia the most popular treat is Snickers, followed by Hot Tamales and Candy Corn. And in Washington D.C., the classic M&Ms are No. 1, with Tootsie Pops and Blow Pops next on the list.

For some folks, candy corn is the quintessential Halloween treat, while others use it as a decorating prop. Comedian Lewis Black has a whole rant about candy corn, which he describes as “which is neither candy, nor corn," and suggests all candy corn in existence was made in 1914 and recycled annually.

Image iva Pixabay