MEDIA RELEASE

March 26, 2025

Immediate Release

Contact: Gwen Asbury

Gwen@CarrollCountyArtsCouncil.org

410-848-7272

Carroll County Arts Council presents 18th Annual PEEPshow

Live at the TownMall of Westminster!

The Carroll County Arts Council is tickled pink….and yellow….and blue…to announce the 18th annual PEEPshow to be held Friday, April 11 through Monday, April 21 at the TownMall of Westminster. This sweet event features numerous marshmallow masterpieces, including sculptures, dioramas, mosaics and even videos, all crafted from or inspired by PEEPS®. This major regional event has attracted the attention of NBC Nightly News, the Food Network, and Just Born, the company that makes PEEPS®.

PEEPS® are a confection created by Just Born of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The candy has achieved an almost cult-like following. Several large metropolitan newspapers across the country have organized diorama contests around these sweet treats, but none of them rival the quality of what will be on display at the TownMall of Westminster this year. This year’s show returns to the former Sears store location in the TownMall of Westminster, across from Boscovs in center court. Directional signs will be in place throughout the mall. Visitors can also view the entries for free and buy votes for their favorites either in person or online at MarshmallowPEEPshow.com.

Previous PEEPshows have featured a wide variety of entries, including an 8-foot dragon, the Swedish Chef from the Muppet Show, Goofy, Snoopy, Pikachu, the Statue of Peeperty, and a host of magical monsters, sports heroes, movie characters and other clever celebrations of pop culture, history, and fine art. Last year’s show featured almost 28,000 PEEPS®!

The top ten entries with the most live and online votes combined will receive Audience Favorite awards, with the first-place entry being named the Grand Prize winner. Additionally, a Top Video award will be given to the video entry with the most votes. Artistic Excellence awards will be chosen by the Arts Council staff and Sponsor’s Choice awards will be selected by PEEPshow’s sponsor organizations. The awards ceremony will be broadcast on Facebook Live on Tuesday, April 22 at 12pm on the Carroll Arts Center Facebook page.

“I am PEEPsitively delighted to collaborate with the rest of the CCAC staff, our amazing volunteers, the TownMall, and our phenomenally talented decorators to bring this year's PEEPshow to the community,” says Arts Council Special Events and Volunteer Coordinator, Gwen Asbury. “There is nothing quite like Marshmallow Magic!”

All proceeds will benefit the Carroll County Arts Council, one of the community’s most vibrant non-profit organizations. Admission to the event is free. Hours are 10am - 6pm Monday through Saturday and 12pm - 6pm on Sundays (including Easter Sunday).

The PEEPshow’s Presenting Sponsors are Just Born, Inc., the TownMall of Westminster, and the Carroll County Office of Tourism. Additional sponsors include Ben Rogers of Edward Jones Investments, U.N.I. Urgent Care Center, Carroll Community College, the City of Westminster. In-kind sponsors include: Community Media Center, Frankford Candy, Math Pixie, Maryland Print House, North Carroll Community School, and Shepherd’s Staff.

The TownMall of Westminster is located at 400 North Center Street in Westminster, MD. Online voting will be available at MarshmallowPEEPshow.com. For more information, call 410-848-7272 or visit www.CarrollCountyArtsCouncil.org.

PEEPS® and the PEEPS® chick and bunny shapes are trademarks of Just Born, Inc., Bethlehem, PA 18017. © 2025. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission by the Carroll County Arts Council.

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PHOTO CREDIT(S) FOR ATTACHED IMAGE:

2024 Grand Prize Winner: ““O”mazing Peep <3” by Patrick, Stephanie, Charlotte, Savannah, and Easton Livesay

2024 4th Place Winner: “Bob the Minion and Tim the Teddy Bear” by Karen and Her Peeps