Buddy Squirrel's annual Easter Open House draws a crowd



ST. FRANCIS (WITI) --  The Buddy Squirrel Easter Open House is a free event that draws thousands to the company's production facility in St. Francis. The Open House event occurs on the Sunday before Palm Sunday. This year, it was on Sunday, April 6th.

Trey Penson was on hand for Sunday's Open House. As a chocolate lover, the event was perfect for him.

"I love chocolate. It's my favorite! Chocolate -- happy, happy, happier!" Penson said.

A crowd filled Buddy Squirrel's facility in St. Francis, as the maker of Milwaukee's "Original Whipped Creme Eggs" hosted its annual open house.

"Just watching their eyes light up when they see the candy being made, and then they get to sample it. Then they get to see Mr. and Mrs. Bunny on top of it. It's just a great experience," Buddy Squirrel's Assistant Production Manager Michael Staral said.

Staral has been around for all 28 years of the Open House event.

"It's a family. We all work together. We all know each other and help each other out. It's teamwork," Staral said.

Those in attendance had an opportunity to see how the Original Whipped Creme Eggs are made -- and also received a free egg, and a free sample of Buddy Squirrel's award-winning caramel corn.

"They just make it, and then we buy them and then we eat them!" a customer said.

It's an event that's an indication that Easter is right around the corner!

Buddy Squirrel began in Milwaukee back in 1916. The company was created by young Polish immigrants Joseph Helminiak and his wife, Lottie.