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Tag - Dutch Country General Store Blog

Looking back at Levi’s Crazy Days 2023

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It was a SPECTACULAR, EXTRAORDINARY, INCREDIBLE, and some might say CRAZY fun time for all!

Looking back at this year's annual Levi’s Crazy Days event held on April 28-29. We knew it would be all sorts of crazy fun!

Both our Hannibal, Missouri, and Bloomfield, Iowa stores enjoyed a wonderful weekend full of free entertainment for the whole family!

NEW This Year - Novelty Games!

You guys blew us away with your enthusiasm and creativity regarding our new novelty games! Our old-fashioned novelty contests were a blast! Customers of all ages participated in our hula hooping contest, an ice cream cone challenge, and a bubble gum blowing contest.

We gave prizes for first place and runners-up! Everyone who participated received a participation ribbon, too! We had a ton of laughs along the way.

Here are some photos of our winners and participants. I think it's safe to say we'll be bringing these back again next year!

Live Entertainment

Both locations featured free entertainment on both Friday and Saturday. We had magicians, stilt walkers, balloon twisters, musicians, and much more!

Bluegrass musicians Joe and Lori King joined us again this year, providing live music in Hannibal on Friday evening and in Bloomfield on Saturday.

On Saturday, we also had Joe the Guitar Guy in our Hannibal location, where he sang and played guitar & harmonica, and we had musician Jordan Izakson singing his country music favorites for our visitors at the Bloomfield location.

The best part of the whole weekend was all the smiling faces enjoying the music and entertainers!

Our caricature artist captured our guests on paper within just a few minutes. The cartoon-style artwork makes for a lovely memento from the day! We loved seeing all of the drawings from both stores and hopefully, all of you did, too!

Incredible Deals & Incredible Fun!

We wanted to go CRAZY big this year, for Levi’s Crazy Days, and for the first time everyone had a chance to take 25% off every single item in our store, including gift cards! This was available online, too! To keep our big savings and prizes going we offered a sign-up for an awesome giveaway that included puzzles, games, decor, Dutch Country General Store skincare, coffee, Piper’s candies, treats, and a gift card.

Looking to next year!

With so many fun activities going on, it was a truly unbelievable and exciting experience. The weather was great (with the exception of a little bit of light rain, late Saturday). We can’t wait to see what will be in store for Levi’s Crazy Days next year and we hope to see ya there!

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Levi’s Crazy Days 2023

Levi’s Crazy Days 2023

You will definitely want to join us for all the crazy fun we have planned for Levi’s Crazy Days 2023, Friday and Saturday, April 28-29th at Dutch Country General Store in both Bloomfield, Iowa and Hannibal, Missouri.

We have plenty of free entertainment planned for the whole family to enjoy!

There are so many fun activities planned. You won’t believe your eyes! This year’s Crazy Days event just might be the best yet! Both stores will have live music, strolling magicians, performers (including stilt walking!), caricature artists, games, contests, prizes, and crazy low prices!

Yep - all of this excitement is completely free! If you have joined us at our previous Crazy Days events, you’ll know that you’re in for a treat!

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Bloomfield

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Friday, April 28th:

All Day: 25% OFF EVERYTHING in-store (even poly furniture)!

3 - 6 pm: Laura Ernst, Strolling Balloon Twister, Juggler, Stilt Walker, & Hula Hoop Extraordinaire!

Saturday, April 29th:

All Day: 25% OFF EVERYTHING in-store!

10 am - Noon: Novelty Contests (all ages welcome)

10 am - 1 pm: William the Conjurer (Magician)

10 am - 4 pm: Caricature Artist Drawings

11 am - 2 pm: Bluegrass Musicians Joe & Lori King

1 - 4 pm Magician Ben Ulin

1 - 5 pm: Peter Brunette, Strolling Balloon Twister, Juggler, & Stilt Walker

2 - 5 pm: Country Musician Jordan Isakson

Levi’s Crazy Days 2023 - Hannibal Schedule
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Hannibal

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Friday, April 28th:

All Day: 25% OFF EVERYTHING in-store!

3 - 6 pm: Bluegrass Musicians Joe & Lori King

3 - 6 pm: Strolling Magician and Balloon Twisting

Saturday, April 29th:

All Day: 25% OFF EVERYTHING in-store!

10 am - Noon: Novelty Contests (all ages welcome)

10 am - 4 pm: Caricature Artist Drawings

12 - 2 pm: Laura Ernst, Strolling Balloon Twister, Juggler, and Stilt Walker Extraordinaire!

1 - 4 pm: Strolling Magician and Balloon Twisting

1 - 4 pm: Joe Fry the Guitar Guy

Levi’s Crazy Days 2023 - Hannibal Schedule

New This Year

Bubble Gum Blowing Contest, Ice Cream Cone Challenge, Hula Hoop Timed Challenge!

10 am - Noon, both locations. Test your skills - all ages welcome!

Schedule (times are approximate):

10:00 am - Bubble Gum Blowing Contest
10:45 am - Ice Cream Cone Challenge
11:30 am - Hula Hoop Timed Challenge


Incredible Deals

Maybe we’re feeling just a little bit crazy, but we’re offering 25% off the ENTIRE STORE! That’s right: everything. For all you Bloomfield attendees, even our in-stock Amish Made Poly furniture can go home with you for 25% off!

Don’t forget about our FREE ice cream, popcorn, and coffee, too! It sure is going to be Crazy Fun!

Follow our Bloomfield and Hannibal events on Facebook for updates on our deals and happenings for Levi’s Crazy Days 2023!

We hope to see ya there!

Petting Zoo

A Look Back At Levi’s Crazy Days 2022

A look back at Levi’s Crazy Days 2022! Both our Bloomfield and Hannibal locations enjoyed a weekend full of free family fun!

During our annual event, in the spirit of giving we offer FREE entertainment! This year was no different, we brought back our caricature artist drawings, and live music too! Fun was in the air - lots of smiling faces, incredible deals, a coloring contest, and there you have it, Levi's Crazy Days!

Dutch Country Bloomfield
Dutch Country Hannibal
Dutch Country Hannibal

Free Family Fun

During the event, we offered deals ranging from 25-75% off on books, toys, and our nostalgic tin signs. If you love Amish roll butter you were in luck because this year it was Buy 2 Get One FREE, along with select Jar Goods, there was something for everyone!

While our guests visited us, we encouraged them to sign up for an awesome giveaway ($150 value!) that included Grand Marceline Coffee, a fun tin sign, Mandle Candle, a Dutch Country General Store gift card, and so much more!

We had so much fun visiting with customers from near and far - one could enjoy a cone while sitting for their drawing as their ears delight in some live tunes bellowing through the store! If you have visited either of our store locations you know we always have free ice cream, coffee, and popcorn and of course, everyone made sure to enjoy our always-free ice cream - the best deal of all - one that never ends!

Petting Zoo (Bloomfield Location)

Petting Zoo

This year we brought back Miller's Petting Zoo from Illinois! They were so much fun at last year's event that we couldn't wait to have them again.

On Saturday night they were blessed with two baby goats. What a wonderful time to have customers come and see the adorable, brand-new kids. There were children gathering around to see new life, some for the very first time.

Miller's also brought us hens, chicks, rabbits, and more - what a treat!

Petting Zoo

Caricature Artist

Caricature Artist Hannibal

What a talent to be able to capture a likeness - and in 5-7 minutes at that! We loved seeing all of the fun drawings from both stores and we hope our customers did too!

Here we have two little ladies getting their caricature drawn, looks great!

Caricature Artist Bloomfield

Live Entertainment

Live Music

Joe & Lori King joined our lineup of crazy free fun, and they were a joy to have! We heard some Americana favorites as well as new songs from their latest album.

Customers gathered and even tapped a toe to the beat - how could you not? We enjoyed their enthusiasm and some laughs too.

Live Music 2

Coloring Contest

This year, we brought back the forever-favorite, coloring contest, but, with a fun twist! Kids ages 11 & under not only colored, but also hand-crafted *one-of-a-kind* pieces of art… sometimes with serious and other times SILLY outcomes. Our judges had their work cut out for them for sure! We have truly enjoyed seeing ALL the entries in our Crazy Days Coloring Contest.

Please enjoy these photos of the winning entries (shown in no particular order). Artists' names and ages are listed below.

  • 1st place winners receive a $50 shopping spree
  • 2nd place winners receive any toy of their choice (up to $25)
  • 3rd place winners receive a Mix & Match Bulk Candy Bag

Congratulations to the winners, and a HUGE thanks to all who entered. We are looking forward to our next contest!

Bloomfield Location

***Ages 5 & Under***

1st Place - Elora (age 2), Bloomfield, IA

2nd Place - Landyn (age 2), Macon, MO                 

3rd Place - Nina (age 4), Floris, IA

***Ages 6-8***

1st Place - Ernest (age 6), Bloomfield, IA

***Ages 9-11***

1st Place - Jayse (age 9), Macon, MO

2nd Place - Matthew (age 10), Bloomfield, IA

3rd Place - Kylie (age 11), Centerville, IA

Hannibal Location

***Ages 5 & Under***

1st Place - Mack (age 5), Hannibal, MO

2nd Place - Jordan (age 5), Hannibal, MO

3rd Place - Vivian (age 4), Hannibal, MO

***Ages 6-8***

1st Place - Hayden (age 8), Hannibal, MO

2nd Place - Titus (age 6), New London, MO

3rd Place - Jonathan(age 8), Hannibal, MO

***Ages 9-11***

1st Place - Violet (age 11), Hannibal, MO

2nd Place - Clara (age 11), Hannibal, MO

3rd Place - Katie (age 10), Hannibal, MO

***Honorable Mention***

Emery (age 11), Hannibal, MO

Annual Fun for All!

We had a great time taking a look back at Levi's Crazy Day's 2022. We hope you did too!

If you weren't able to visit us this year, that's okay! Levi's Crazy Day's happens every year - we can't wait to see what next year brings!

Levi’s Crazy Days 2022

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Join us on April 29th & 30th in Bloomfield, IA & Hannibal, MO for incredible deals and crazy fun at Levi’s Crazy Day’s 2022!

Both stores are offering even more crazy fun this year including a Petting Zoo (Bloomfield location only), Live Bluegrass Musicians, Caricature Artist, and Coloring Contest.

If you joined us last year, you'll know that you're in for a great time!

Crazy Fun at BOTH Locations!

Bloomfield Happenings


Friday

All Day: Incredible Deals & Crazy Fun!
11 am – 5 pm: Millers Petting Zoo
3 pm – 6 pm: Live Bluegrass Musicians, Joe & Lori King

Saturday

All Day: Incredible Deals & Crazy Fun!
10 am – 4 pm: Millers Petting Zoo
9 am – 5 pm: Caricature Artist

Hannibal Happenings


Friday

All Day: Incredible Deals & Crazy Fun!

Saturday

All Day: Incredible Deals & Crazy Fun!
9 am – 5 pm: Caricature Artist
11 am – 1 pm & 2 pm – 4 pm: Live Bluegrass Musicians Joe & Lori King

Levi Coloring Page 2022

Coloring Contest - In-store and Online!

A favorite for the little ones is our annual coloring contest. Create your own crazy costume from the pieces we have seen Levi don over the years. Then help him enjoy a treat from right here at Dutch Country General Store. You could win one of several great prizes!

We are accepting coloring contest entries from April 22nd to May 7th. Can’t make it to the event? That’s ok, send it in the mail!

Mailing information and contest guidelines are located on the coloring sheet.

In-Store Incredible Deals at BOTH Locations!

  • 75% off Select Toys & 25% off ALL Tin Signs
  • Pressure Cooker 35% off! $83.85 (reg. $129)
  • Striped Hammock (Multiple colors available) 25% off $14.99 (reg. $19.99)
  • Premium Frozen Beef Deal - Buy 3 Cuts, Get 1 FREE (equal or lesser value)
  • Deli Special - FREE chips and a soda with sandwich purchase!
  • Amish Roll Butter - Buy 2, Get 1 FREE
  • Select Jar Goods Buy 2, Get 1 FREE
  • Door Prizes! Grand Prize Gift Pack $150 Value!

Follow Us and Stay Up-To-Date!

Follow our Bloomfield & Hannibal Events on Facebook to stay up to date on all in-store deals & happenings for Levi's Crazy Days 2022!

Be sure to check our website for even more savings online, stay tuned!

Crafting with Caroline

Here at Dutch Country General Store, we love it when kiddos complete one of our Melissa & Doug craft projects and then share their experience with us. Follow along with us as Caroline and her mom take us on a “Crafting with Caroline” adventure while completing the Melissa & Doug Created By Me Sweet Keepsakes craft kit.

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Visiting Dutch Country General Store

Dutch Country General Store is truly a family operation in our house because my husband, and Caroline’s dad, is on the floor working every day at the store. His co-workers and team members are awesome and know that I’m his wife and are always excited to see Caroline and me.

When we got to the store, Caroline headed straight for the ice cream machine, because that’s just what you do when you visit Dutch Country General Store - you help yourself to a free ice cream cone! It’s the Dutch Country way!

"...because that’s just what you do when you visit Dutch Country General Store - you help yourself to a free ice cream cone! It’s the Dutch Country way!"

CraftingWithCaroline-Craft

Selecting A Craft

We checked out the toys downstairs, near the large buckets of candy, and we quickly headed upstairs. My daughter loves that the Bloomfield, Iowa location has two stories. We were on the hunt for a project that would allow Caroline to be creative and I knew Melissa & Doug would have something right up her alley.

Caroline considered a Scratch Art project and looked briefly at some sticker sets. In the end, she gave mom two options to help her choose - Melissa & Doug’s Created by Me! Cupcake Bank or Melissa & Doug Created by Me! Sweet Keepsakes.

She had talked about including Grandma in the craft session too and I knew Grandma would always be up for a little craft therapy with her only granddaughter. We chose the Sweet Keepsakes set since it had three crafts to decorate. That meant even mom could get in on the fun.

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A Dutch Country Adventure

On the way home, Caroline read the details on the Sweet Keepsakes box - she loves to read. She was so excited that every single word on that box was read out loud the whole ride home.


Everything You Need

The Created by Me! craft set came with quite a lot of pieces to be creative, and Caroline was excited to get started.

The set comes with 3 paintbrushes, a set of paints, cute foil stickers, and glitter glue sticks. All three figurines are really adorable. We let Caroline pick which project she wanted and she chose the ice cream cone. She told me I can have the cake bank and Grandma got the cupcake with the cherry on top. 

Getting Messy

This girl loves getting messy - especially anytime she gets to paint. She loves to experiment and mix colors. As you can see, she got messy, had a ton of fun, and Grandma even pulled out her paints for more color combinations. 

A Fun Escape

Caroline even pretended to ‘eat’ her little keepsake ice cream cone when she was finished. 

It was a great afternoon and it was nice to “escape” with a fun project. Even though only for a short time, it was nice to have my daughter away from her devices and doing something tangible. As a mom to two children, I have trusted Melissa & Doug products since my son was just a toddler. We still have pieces of the Melissa & Doug Cutting Food laying around and in a toy boxes. 

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We Love Dutch Country General Store

We love our time at Dutch Country General Store. How can you beat free ice cream and free popcorn while you shop? We love their unique products, yummy treats, and our kiddos love their large selection of toys. Caroline is looking forward to organizing her collection of hair ties, tiny dolls, and coins into her completed Decorate Your Own - Sweets Set crafts.

Something For Everyone!

If you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to stop by and give them a visit. You’ll be glad you did! If you can’t come in person, you can shop online which offers a large majority of their in-store products. There’s something for everyone!

All Things Chocolate

Here at Dutch Country General Store, we love all things chocolate - milk chocolate, dark chocolate, chocolate candy bars, chocolate cake, bulk chocolates, you name it! After all, chocolate is believed to contain high levels of antioxidants, which means it’s good for you, right?

Piper's Mural

Historic Chocolate Handmade with Love

Piper’s Candy is exclusive to Dutch Country General Store. The landmark business has been creating delicious chocolates for well over 100 years. 

The story of Piper’s amazing chocolates goes like this. After Joe L. retired, his youngest son Bob learned candy-making techniques from his brother John (who had a shop in downtown Iowa City) and from there developed his own recipes. These are the same recipes and candy-making techniques that are used in Piper’s candy kitchen to this day.

We offer Piper’s Chocolates by the piece in our stores and offer the Classic Assortment on our website. It’s filled with the most popular Piper’s handmade candies: turtles, toffee, caramel rolls, dark chocolate dipped mints, and nut clusters.

The Forever Favorite - Homemade Fudge

Fudge is a type of sugar candy that is made by mixing sugar, butter, and milk, heating it and then beating the mixture while it cools until it acquires a smooth, creamy consistency. It will remind you of something between fondant icing and hard caramel. Chocolate, nuts, caramel, candies, and so much more can be added as well.

Our fudge will forever be a customer favorite. Enjoy a flavor with nuts, without nuts, but definitely make sure you try the Chocolate flavor! Made right here in our own hometown!

Dutch Country Kitchen’s Chocolate Symphony Cake

This amazing, three-layer, chocolate cake is to die for! As Erica Good puts it, “As a very conservative woman once said, “This cake is so good it’s almost sinful!”

This simple, yet delicious cake recipe is a must try. Visit www.dutchcountykitchen.com for a full list of ingredients, instructions, and a step-by-step video guide!

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Customer and Employee Chocolate Top Picks

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    Hammond’s Candy Bar Milk Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

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    $4.99
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    Dark Chocolate Mini Pretzels

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    $7.99$38.99
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    Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix

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    $9.99
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    Hersheys Nostalgia Bar Milk Chocolate

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    $4.99
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    Grand Marceline White Chocolate Ground Coffee

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    $10.99

Don’t forget we all the bulk chocolates you can imagine! Don’t forget to visit the chocolate section of our website for some chocolate clever peanuts, chocolate covered pecan patties, and so much more!

Hammond’s Candy Bar

Available in unique flavors like S’mores, Bourbon Pecan Pie, and PB&J Sandwich, our customers can’t wait to try all the unique combinations.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake Mix

For all our gluten-free chocolate lovers, this gluten-free chocolate cake mix is the perfect solution! With a few simple ingredients from your pantry, you will be enjoying your cake in no time!

White Chocolate Ground Coffee

“A dessert in a cup”, this blend is a decadent flavor featured in a full-bodied coffee. It's coffee, but also a sweet treat!

Dark Chocolate Mini Pretzels

These crispy, salty pretzels are covered in rich dark chocolate making these bite-sized treats a sweet and salty delight. Prefer milk chocolate? We’ve got you covered with our milk chocolate version!

Hersheys Nostalgia Bar

Of course the vintage favorite would be a top pick - you can’t go wrong with a traditional milk chocolate candy bar. These candy bars are melt-in-your-mouth.

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Hannibal Chocolate Extravaganza Event

For all the chocolate lovers - we are excited to be participating in the upcoming Hannibal Chocolate Extravaganza event from March 11-13. The event will be full of fun and sweet specials from many downtown businesses surrounding our Hannibal, Missouri location. Purchase a passport and receive access to exclusive event-only specials!

If you're in the neighborhood, be sure to stop by and see us during the event. We hope to see ya real soon!

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Abbie Gingerbread House Making

Holiday Gingerbread House Fun

At Dutch Country General Store, we love the holiday season and all the fun activities that come with it. One of our favorites is making holiday gingerbread houses. It's a fun activity that's perfect for all ages! Whether your gingerbread house is simple or complex, we encourage you to try making one with your family this holiday season!

Join us as we hear from one of our lovely customers, Abbie, as she builds a beautiful gingerbread house from scratch with her grandma. She shares her grandma's recipe and process with us and tells us which Dutch Country General Store candies she chooses to decorate her masterpiece. Follow along with us for some holiday gingerbread house fun!

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Abbie Shopping 2
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Shopping at Dutch Country General Store

My family has a lot of fun holiday traditions! One of my favorites is making a gingerbread house with my grandma. We build one together every year along with numerous other family members.

This year I wanted to get a lot of my decorating candy at Dutch Country General Store. They always have a lot of fun, unique candy, especially for Christmas! Some of the things I chose were:

  • Reindeer Food (peanuts and Christmas-colored candy corns) - I was able to use the peanuts for my walkway and the candy corns for the roof of my shed. 
  • Frosty’s Favorite Mix (kind of like Puppy Chow) - I used this for the roof of the gingerbread house and as an ornate window on the front. I love how it looks like snow!
  • Christmas Fruit Snacks - I used the little white snowmen and red and green trees by the front door to make it look welcoming.
  • Mini M&Ms - These were perfect for creating a wreath for the front door.
  • Gum Drops - I knew I had to use this traditional decorating candy! I chose to only use the Christmas-colored ones all around the gingerbread house and roof.
  • Cinnamon Hard Candy - I used these to create a fence and wrapped it around my whole gingerbread yard.
  • Old-fashioned Hershey Bar - I used this for the shutters on my windows.
  • Shredded Coconut - I used it to add a soft snowy texture all over my little gingerbread scene.
Grandma's Gingerbread Recipe
Grandma's Icing Recipe

Family Traditions with Grandma

My grandma bakes the gingerbread from scratch and uses patterns to create the correct shapes - we love to eat the scrap pieces! Then together, we frost the edges of each piece and place them together. To support each side of our house while the frosting dries, we use soup cans. Once our gingerbread house is built, the fun part begins!

Decorating my house is my favorite part because I get to be creative. Mixing and matching all the candies I chose is fun! As I decorate, my family helps me think of ways I can use the various candies. I love how my house looked when it was finished!

Abbie Decorating 1
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Decorative Candy and Sweet Treats

Products found at Dutch Country General Store used in Gingerbread House

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    Peanut Butter Monkey Munch

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    $8.99$43.99
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    Australian Licorice, Black

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    Assorted Giant Gum Drops

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    $5.99$28.99
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    Sugar Free Starlight Mint Hard Candies

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    $12.99$41.99
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    Sanded Cinnamon Drops

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    $5.99$28.99
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    Mini Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Buckeyes

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    $7.99$38.99
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    JuJu Cinnamon Bears

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    $5.99$28.99
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    Milk Chocolate Peanuts, No Sugar Added

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    $9.99$48.99
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    Cinnamon Imperials

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    $4.99$23.99
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    Hersheys Nostalgia Bar Milk Chocolate

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    $4.99
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    Cinnamon Pecans

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    $16.99$81.99
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    Sweet Temptation Snack Mix

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    $11.99$52.99

Gingerbread & Icing Supplies

Products found at Dutch Country General Store used in Gingerbread House

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    Ground Cinnamon

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    $11.99$57.99
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    Danncy Pure Vanilla Dark 12oz

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    $9.99
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    Domino 10X Powdered Sugar

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    $6.99$32.99
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    Crisco Shortening 6lb

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    $20.99
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    Morton Table Salt

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    $2.99$13.99
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    Baking Soda

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    $6.99$32.99
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    Raw Sugar

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    $4.99$18.99
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    Baking Flour All Purpose

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    $5.99

Start Your Own Holiday Fun Today!

From all of us here at Dutch Country General Store, we hope you have a fantastic holiday season. We encourage you to participate in your own holiday gingerbread house fun this Christmas and create new memories with your family.

Stop by and see us and pick up your gingerbread house supplies today or order from our website!

Christmas Memories with the Goods

Christmas in Iowa. Christmas in the United States of America. Christmas around the world.  There are many unique traditions and recipes. But what do we have in common? Memories. Good memories.

Childhood Memories

One of my cherished childhood memories began with disappointment.  An anticipated out-of-state visit to my Dad’s family was canceled on Christmas Eve due to a sudden heavy snowstorm.  We woke up Christmas morning with no presents (we’d opened them earlier in preparation for the trip), no Christmas dinner, and no plans.  So, my Dad took all six of us children traipsing through the snowy countryside.  It was a wonderland of glitter, snow, and ice.  Back home, we tumbled in the door; cold, laughing, and ravenous. Somehow, in the few hours we were gone, my mom had the dining room table decorated with Christmas cheer and piled with aromatic food.  I was speechless.  The magic of Christmas.

Now, twenty years later, I am privileged to see the wonder of Christmas in my children’s eyes.  This week I asked them for their favorite Christmas events.  Here they are: “opening presents”,  “going to Grandma’s”,  “watching everyone else open presents - especially the ones I gave them”, "reading the Christmas story together in front of the fire", “making Christmas cookies”,  “school break”, “decorating for Christmas”.

Here are two activities, leading up to the holidays, that our family loves to do - baking and games.

Sugar Cookies Recipe

Baking

I often take a whole day off just to make Christmas cookies and candy with my children. Here’s a favorite recipe: Cut-out Sugar Cookies

Need cookie cutters, baking tools, or baking ingredients?  Find them at Dutch Country General Store, in person, or online.

Good Children

Games

Levi and I love to play games with our 5 children, ages 9,8,6,3, and 7 months. The older ones love chess, Dominoes, Suspend, Monopoly, Boggle, and puzzles.  The younger ones love Old Maid, Memory, simple puzzles, Uno, and Buildzi.

Don’t tell the kids, but on Christmas Day I want to introduce them to another classic, marbles.

Some of our family favorites from the store

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    Magnetic Chess

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    Dominoes

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    Tub of 50 Marbles

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    $12.99

My goal is to lavishly spread God’s hope this season. Merry Christmas! May an abundance of good memories be made and remembered.

-Erica Good

Erica Good Family Dining Expert
Erica Good Family Dining Expert

Insights from Customer Service

Customer Insights from Noelle

I have been privileged to serve as a DCGS customer service representative for a little more than a year now. During that time, I have talked to so many people from all over the United States. Many are surprised to get an actual person on the other end of the line.

It is my pleasure to be able to help folks when they call in - whether it be a product question, to help place an order, a personal dilemma, or a plethora of other things. Along the way, I have taken note of some questions that customers have asked, and I’d love to share them with you. We hope you will find these insights from Customer Service helpful!

The Perfect Knives & Utensils

I have received many, many calls with questions about our knives and cutlery brands. We at Dutch Country General Store are proud to carry Rada Cutlery knives & utensils which are high-quality products and made right here in the USA! I talk with many happy Rada users each week - I always enjoy hearing stories and feedback about our products.

Some have told me stories about accidentally throwing away their favorite Rada paring knife or stories about someone borrowing and never returning their favorite product. Our customers love their Rada knives and are understandably upset when these things happen! They are relieved when they call and I can help them find what they are looking for and assist them to place a new order.

I often receive questions about how to care for Rada Cutlery. The black handle design is dishwasher safe, however, I recommend hand washing and drying them. Do not place silver handled pieces in the dishwasher - the dishwasher can tarnish them.

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    KNIFE SHARPENER

    0 out of 5
    $15.60

Tip: These knives are very sharp, so always keep safety in mind! If you need to give your Rada Cutlery a tune-up, the Rada Cutlery Knife Sharpener is our top-selling, all-around product! 

Searching for That Sweet Treat

At DCGS, we carry many candies from days gone by. This includes Circus Peanuts, Chew Wax Bottles, Charleston Chews, Razzles, and more. We have dozens of varieties on our website! I often receive calls from customers looking for something specific, and I’m happy to help them find it. Looking for a specific line of candy, or a specific flavor you love, I’m happy to direct you to the right place!

If you’re looking for a new sweet treat to try and wonder what items might sell the best, you’re welcome to call me anytime! I am happy to update you on the items that are currently popular. Right now, our top three candy items are Orange Slices, Mini Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Buckeyes, and Milk Chocolate Caramel Pecan Patties.

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    Orange Slices

    0 out of 5
    $4.99$23.99
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    Mini Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Buckeyes

    0 out of 5
    $7.99$38.99
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    Milk Chocolate Caramel Pecan Patties

    0 out of 5
    $13.99$67.99

Personal Dilemmas

Sometimes, I also get calls from customers asking for insights from Customer Service with personal dilemmas. While not always product-related, I’m still happy to help our customers find a solution to whatever problem they may be facing.

A man once called who had cut himself shaving and accidentally got a drop of blood on his clothes. He asked what he could use to get the stain out. I don’t usually consider myself a stain removing pro by any means, but I tried to think of something to help. Although bleach, a known MVP of stain removal, would likely get it out, it is known to also remove the coloring from clothing. In this case, I suggested running the stain under the cold water faucet.

If you have a stain that has had a chance to set in, you can try washing it on the cold setting in the washing machine. If you feel extra pretreating is needed, try applying laundry detergent to the stain and allowing it some time to sit. After 10-15 minutes, wash your garment.

Tip: It is always wise to check your clothing tags for proper care of your garment. Also, the dryer can further set-in stains, so always try to wash the stain out completely before drying.

Free Shipping over $25!

At Dutch Country General Store, we offer free shipping for orders $25 or more.  Sometimes I help customers with orders that are oh-so-close to that $25, and they need a suggestion to get them there. Here are a few suggestions if you find yourself in a similar predicament:

Have something else in mind and only a few dollars away from free shipping? Give me a call and I’d be happy to help you find something you’re sure to love!

We Love Our Customers

My favorite part about my job is getting to know our customers and hearing their stories.

Stories about family, stories about pets, stories about life lessons and years of memories - they are truly conversations I enjoy.

One of my favorite memories was a conversation I had with a loyal customer while I was taking her order. She was in her 90s and had lots of memories to share about her life. We discussed when she met her husband, a member of the British Royal Navy. Then we talked about their life in England before returning to the United States. She told me how they used to participate in ballroom dancing competitions, among other memorable life experiences - what a fascinating life they lived!

So whether you’re calling for help replacing that lost Rada utensil, looking for a best-selling candy item, needing help with a dilemma, or trying to get over that $25 threshold, I’m always happy to help! I’ll gladly listen to your story and do the best I can to help you. If I miss you, please leave a voicemail and I’ll always return your call.

On behalf of myself and all of us here at Dutch Country General Store - we love our customers! I hope you enjoyed these insights from Customer Service!

Noelle-Customer-Service

Our new catalog – the Pantry Edition!

Pantry Guide Catalog Contents

Our new catalog - the Pantry Edition is 92 pages of everything you could possibly crave! We hope you'll sign up and take a look through the pages and mark a few things that you need in your pantry. Give us a call, mail us an order, or shop the thousands of products on our website! We would love to help you. 

But what exactly will you find in the Pantry Edition? Let us give you a "sneak peak" of some the products we have conveniently placed in our newest catalog! 

Pantry Guide Cover
Pantry Guide Catalog

Our Popular Elmwood Inn Teas & Grand Marceline Coffee

From the beginning of the catalog, you’ll find Elmwood Inn Teas. These Teas offer a delicious selection of herbal, black, and green teas. Each tea’s unique combinations come together to create its own take on traditional flavors. You’ll find Earl Gray with Lavender, Strawberry Green Tea, and even Chai with a twist. Don’t forget about our popular, Christmas in a Cup! Elmwood Inn Teas is committed to sharing the ideal that tea is a lifestyle; not a commodity. So sit back and enjoy these wonderful teas!

Next up is our Grand Marceline Coffee & Cocoa - if you haven’t tried them yet, definitely add your favorite flavor to your shopping cart! Roasted in Walt Disney’s Hometown in Victorian-era roasters, these coffees and cocoas are one-of-a-kind, offering a dozen flavors to choose from.

Old Fashioned Candy, Jar Goods, Bulk Foods, & More!

Pages 8 through 22 are filled with the essentials - Old Fashioned Candy, Homemade Fudge, and Piper’s Homemade Chocolate. Chocolate-covered nuts, pretzels, raisins, coffee beans, Cherry Mash, Coconut Bon Bons, Gummi Worms, we have it all! Prefer fudge over candy? Don’t worry, with 9 flavors of fudge to choose from, we suggest one of each!

Looking for something extra special? Piper’s Classic Assortment is exclusive to Dutch Country General Store. Piper's has been making handmade chocolates since 1947. Filled with the most popular Piper’s handmade candies – turtles, toffee, caramel rolls, dark chocolate dipped mints, and nut clusters. This selection of favorites is sure to please!

Our Jar Goods section is filled with a full section of Jams and Jellies, Amish Made Fruit Spreads, Salsas, and Fruits & Vegetables. At only $1.99 each, these Tiny Sampler Jams are a customer favorite! 

Our Bulk Foods section of the catalog is an all-encompassing array of Seeds & Nuts, Dried Fruits, Snack Mixes, Baking Needs, Fresh Ground Peanut, Noodles and so much more! We even offer a Gluten-Free section filled with snacks and baking supplies.

Sign up to receive our Catalog

Delivered to your mailbox!

We hope you enjoy flipping through this convenient pantry guide filled with everything you need year-round.

Meat, Cheese, & Butter

Page 58 starts our Meat, Cheese, & Butter section. First, you’ll find the famous Timber Ridge Snack Sticks and Jerky. A popular item among Dutch Country General Store shoppers, these snacks come in a variety of delicious flavors.

No refrigeration is needed, they can be safely enjoyed while camping, traveling, or in a packed lunch. Another customer favorite is the famous Amish Roll Butter. This hand-rolled delicious, salted butter is some of the best butter you’ve ever tasted. Perfect on bread, while cooking, and for eating by the slice. And don’t forget Milton Creamery’s fresh Cheese Curds - which of their 9 flavors is your favorite? We love the Onion and Parsley flavor around here!

Rada Cutlery & Kitchenwares

Our Kitchenwares and Rada Cutlery offer all the tools you’ll need to prepare and store all the goodies you'll find throughout this catalog. The JarWare line can turn any regular mouth jar into a versatile kitchen tool. We offer 6 pages of every tool you could ever need and another 4 pages of serveware including Cast Iron, Enamelware, and Ohio Stoneware.

If you’re a canner - then pages 74 + 75 are must-shop pages. These Ball Canning jars have been around for over a century and are made here in the USA. And lastly, you can’t forget Rada Cutlery, our best-selling product line at Dutch Country General Store. Rada Cutlery is an Iowa Company that has been manufacturing cutlery since 1948! All cutlery includes a lifetime guarantee.

Old Fashioned Remedies

And lastly, we wrap up the catalog with our unique selection of Personal Care items. 

From lines like O’Douds Apothecary, Amish Origins, Caswell-Massey, Goat Milks Soaps, and Old Fashioned Remedies, you’ll find quality products made with time-tested processes. From beard and hair care to bug and insect repellant, our catalog showcases the most popular items our customers love.

Old Fashioned Remedies

Request Your Catalog Today!

If there is one thing Levi has learned over the years while raising his kids, it’s to always keep a big supply of good, quality snacks in the cupboard. That’s one of the reasons we decided to publish this ‘Pantry Edition’ of our catalog. You are right if you think it’s a little different shape than our usual catalogs, but have no fear, it is packed from cover to cover with everything you could need to keep your kitchen stocked all year-'round.

Haven’t signed up to receive a catalog yet? It’s not too late! Sign up to receive our Spring 2021 Pantry Catalog today here

New & Returning Summer Toys for All Ages

Shop our New & Returning Summer Toys for All Ages! Summer is here and in full swing! Looking for some fun outdoor toys to keep those kiddos active and moving? Dutch Country General Store has a large selection of new and back-in-stock toys that your little humans are sure to love!

New Toys

These new summer water and backyard toys offer a variety of activities for all play levels. From giant bubbles to volleyball, you’re sure to find something that children of all ages will enjoy. Check out these new, awesome toys, and be sure to snag them before summer ends!

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    Hearthsong-Rainbow-Sprinkler

    0 out of 5
    Original price was: $62.99.Current price is: $15.75.

Make magical memories under the rainbow! This rainbow sprinkler will brighten anyone's backyard. The perfect summer item for any kid, this will sure to be a hit amongst the neighborhood at your next BBQ. Inflate sprinkler and attach a garden hose for endless fun in the sun!

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    Hearthsong-Giant-Inflatable-Bowling-Game

    0 out of 5
    Original price was: $36.99.Current price is: $9.25.

Enjoy big-time fun with this giant inflatable bowling game. With weighted pins, kids of all ages can roll, throw, or even kick the ball to get a strike! A trip to the bowling alley in your own backyard, no one can pass up this classic game. 

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    Hearthsong-Electric-Pump

    0 out of 5
    Original price was: $20.99.Current price is: $5.25.

Need a little help with those giant inflatables? Look no further! This portable lightweight electric pump will make blowing up all of your inflatables a breeze. With three different nozzle attachments, this versatile tool will help you inflate and deflate. This is the perfect add-on for all of your favorite inflatable toys, games, and anything else, plus its size makes it easy to pack and travel with you anywhere! 

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    Hearthsong-Superloop-Bubble-Kit

    0 out of 5
    Original price was: $31.99.Current price is: $8.00.

Who doesn't love bubbles?! Imagine creating GIGANTIC bubbles with this super loop bubble kit. Pour the bubble solution into the bubble pool, dip the wand, and watch the bubbles become life-sized! Want to add even more fun? Stand in the middle of the inflatable bubble pool, dip the bubble wand, and raise it up to create a bubble around yourself.

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    Hearthsong-Volleyball-Sprinkler

    0 out of 5
    Original price was: $62.99.Current price is: $15.75.

Grab the inflatable volleyball and serve over this inflatable volleyball sprinkler. Serve, set, and spike the ball through this full sprinkler to add an extra splash to your game. A great way to cool off and enjoy family time together, this will bump away the summertime blues. For the little ones, the central sprinkler adds a fun way for the whole family to join in. 9¾'L x 4'H.

Returning Toys

These child favorites are back in stock, but hurry, they won’t last long! Whether your child loves to play with bugs, in the dirt, or in the dark, these toys are now back in stock and ready for play!

Bug Houses

Children will enjoy observing bugs, insects, and butterflies in these eye-popping bug houses. Made from lightweight molded plastic and wire mesh, it has an easy-access door, a sturdy handle, and lots of ventilation.

Watering Cans

How does your garden grow? By keeping it watered with this sweet, kid-friendly watering can, that’s how! These themed cans with curved handles is made from light but sturdy plastic that holds up to outdoor play, while encouraging creative and imaginative pretend play, too.

Umbrellas

Kids will enjoy walking in the rain or shading themselves from the sun under these durable, themed umbrellas. Rounded safety tips and child-friendly mechanisms make these umbrellas easy and safe for children to work by themselves.

Tote Sets

With this kid-friendly garden tote, complete with tools, getting help in the garden just got easier! The sturdy plastic tools are just right for little helpers and easy to keep organized in this durable and brightly colored fabric tote with woven handles. An included spray bottle helps keep plants watered and little gardeners cool! Use it inside for pretend play or outside when kids want to do some digging.

Flashlights

These lovable flashlights provide a steady spotlight for fun in the dark! With their sturdy, integrated handles, it’s easy for small hands to grip, and six feet help keep the flashlight steady when it’s time to set it down. Whether curled up with a book under the covers or running around the yard playing flashlight tag, this is the perfect accessory for adventure.

Nets

A net is a perfect way to catch moths, bugs, and butterflies on those long summer evenings! These bug catchers are light and fun to wave, while the sturdy construction, durable frame, and strong polyester netting make it perfect for outdoor play.

Kickballs

These kickballs keep kids ages two and older moving. The fun designs make it extra fun to learn and practice early catching and kicking games. Made of durable rubber, this colorful and easy-to-handle playground ball is great for backyard fun or playing games in the park.

Other Returning Toys

The Splash Patrol’s motto is all for one and fun for all! They always work together–especially when they are squirting you with water! This whimsical outdoor sprinkler is made from durable materials. It attaches easily to a hose for outdoor fun for the whole family, as well as an adorable way to water the garden. The sprinkler encourages outdoor active play and helps develop coordination.

Who doesn't love bubbles?! Imagine creating GIGANTIC bubbles with this super loop bubble kit. Pour the bubble solution into the bubble pool, dip the wand, and watch the bubbles become life-sized! Want to add even more fun? Stand in the middle of the inflatable bubble pool, dip the bubble wand, and raise it up to create a bubble around yourself.

Grab a stack of these sturdy plastic cones and head outside to play! Four different colors and two textures make every cone unique, so they’re great for traditional outdoor games and so much more. The included play guide suggests dozens of exciting activities, from races to balance games. Durably built and cast in fade-resistant colors, these exciting cones will stay standing tall and looking great, playtime after playtime.

Doing yard work is a snap when the cheerful Snappy Turtle helps! This cleverly designed plastic lawnmower has lots of ways to interest little ones: a storage compartment under the shell, a plastic fuel can to “pour,” dials that turn, slide, and click, and a pull-cord that makes a motor sound! Made from durable materials with Snappy’s smiling face, this is a mower is great for indoor or outdoor play. It’s got a sturdy handle to help new walkers and will encourage gross motor skill development, role-play activities, and an exploration of the natural world. Lock handle in place before giving to child.

It’s Play Time with Dutch Country General Store

Here at Dutch Country General Store, we love playtime and we love the outdoors - that’s why we are excited to offer a large selection of fun summer toys for all ages. Have questions or looking for something specific? Call us anytime at 844.344.0031 - we’re happy to help!

Levi’s Crazy Days 2021

Levi's Crazy Days Deals & Fun!

Levi’s Crazy Days 2021 commenced at our Bloomfield and Hannibal locations on Friday, April 30th, and Saturday, May 1st with a weekend full of laughter, family fun, and crazy good deals throughout the store. The smell of homemade sandwiches filled the air, while the children scampered in to beat the heat and grab one of our free ice cream cones. The samples were flowing and introducing customers to some of the delicious foods we have. Families far and wide pulled in to find themselves greeted with many fun family-filled activities.

Live Entertainment and Incredible Deals

Things kicked off on Friday with live music by Tom Shadonix playing fiddle and guitar at our Bloomfield location. His folk music tickled the ears of all who walked through our doors. His folksy tunes could be heard the very next day at our Hannibal location, setting the old-fashioned feel ablaze.

The lively tempo added to the atmosphere as customers were greeted with unbelievable $10 doorbusters and incredible deals. Cast iron cookware, housewares, and inflatable outdoor toys were amongst the many discounts to be found. For those that enjoy the thrill of chance, our enter to win door prizes were the perfect opportunity. Topping the prize ladder, our grand prize consisted of many tasty and unique items that were featured on Dutch Country Kitchen, hosted by none other than our very own Erica Good and Billboard recording artist Diana Upton-Hill. For our younger customers, our “Look for Levi'' themed coloring sheet allowed them to showcase their creativity, and be entered for a chance to win a fun prize of their own!

Bloomfield Location Welcomed Miller’s Petting Zoo

As the event got rolling, Miller’s Petting Zoo opened its gates for the families at our Bloomfield location to come and experience the joys of the farm with their adorable array of baby animals. From baby goats to chicks and ducklings and one of the largest bunny rabbits we had ever seen, there was something for everyone. The joy on the faces of the kids was infectious. As the giggling echoed, the sounds of the animals were the perfect accompaniment.

Caricature Artist Fun

For visitors who wanted a more artistic memento to remember all of the crazy fun, our caricature artists Bill Beard (Bloomfield) and Jeff Niffen (Hannibal) were the guys to see! Putting a wacky spin on self-portraits, each customer had the chance to grab a free drawing. The artists swiftly and with the utmost ease, brushed their markers across their canvas and created drawings that captured the likeness of each person, and put a smile on everyone’s face.

Caricature artist

A Fun-Filled Weekend to be Had

With the many fun activities, it was nothing short of a fun-filled weekend that we thoroughly enjoyed. It was a perfect way to ring in the beautiful weather, and celebrate the old-fashioned, family-friendly atmosphere we here at Dutch Country General Store strive for. We can’t wait to celebrate with everyone again next year, but until then, we hope to see ya real soon!

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