Written By Sherwood Kohn

The Carroll Arts Center’s third annual Peep Show is set for April 9 through 17.

Based on the popular Easter candy, the tongue-in-cheek show has become one of the most anticipated community events, attracting more than 5,000 visitors from the region. Last year’s Peep Show displayed 140 creative entries, including a ball gown tailored entirely out of Peeps, an oversized Rubik’s cube comprised of 1,600 Peeps, a Keith Haring artwork recreated in Peeps and even several stop-action Peep films.

The public can vote for favorites by purchasing chips for $1 each, 10 for $5 or 25 for $10. Awards to those receiving the top five highest votes will be announced at the closing reception on Saturday, April 17. All proceeds will benefit the Carroll County Arts Council.

Peeps, a confection created by the Just Born Co. of Bethlehem, Pa., started in the 1940s as a hand-made Easter candy in the shape of a yellow chick. It is now available for almost every major holiday and comes in a rainbow of unnatural colors. The candy has achieved an almost cult-like following and several large metropolitan newspapers across the country have organized similar contests.

The Arts Center’s Peep Show is sponsored by local orthodontist Dr. Edward M. Goldman. Admission to the event is free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, except Sunday April 11, (1-5 p.m.) and Saturday April 17, when the event closes at 5 p.m.