Candy making continues through Friday in Genoa

Staff Reports

It takes a long time to make 4,500 pounds of candy and Genoans put in extra time to try to meet their deadline for Candy Dance.

Candy chairwoman Marian Vassar said she puts in about 245 hours making the sweet stuff, which is sold during the two-day event to raise money for the town.

A core of about four volunteers do most of the work, with helpers ranging from a dozen some days to one on others.

"We just don't have the volunteers we did before," she said. "We've had about 40 people help out this year. Last year, we had 70."

Candy making goes on today 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Thursday and Friday.

Vassar said the volunteers are on track with the fudge, but she's worried about some of the other candy.

Volunteers hope to have all the candy made by Friday so they can begin packaging it.

Vassar said she hoped to get some younger volunteers to learn the craft and take over for the future.

Candy has always been an important part of the annual fundraiser, which helps support the town. Candy Dance is Sept. 23 and 24 this year.

Lillian Virgin Finnegan who founded the dance in 1919, served candy as a hook for the dance, something she brought back from the East, according to town resident Bill Brooks.