Cache Valley Civic Ballet’s Sugar Plum Fairy Visits the Land of the Sweets at Bluebird Candy Co. on Center Street

Emily Buckley, editor in chief

This holiday season businesses and arts organizations are learning to pivot to help holiday festivities and traditions continue, even if they are different from times past.

Downtown Logan is no exception, “There is plenty to do in Downtown Logan this Christmas Season,” Gary Saxton, director of the Logan Downtown Alliance, said. “[There are] great performances at the Eccles Theatre, great food at 20+ restaurants, and holiday shopping at awesome shops.”

Another Downtown highlight each holiday season is the candy windows at Bluebird Candy Co. on Historic Center Street. “This year’s theme for the candy windows is The Nutcracker,” Justin Hamilton, owner of Bluebird Candy Co., said.

Sadly, one tradition that had to pause this year with concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic is the Cache Valley Civic Ballet’s annual performance of The Nutcracker.

“The Cache Valley Civic Ballet may not be performing The Nutcracker at our lovely Ellen Eccles Theater this year, but it doesn’t stop our Sugar Plum Fairy and members of her court from enjoying the land of sweets at the Bluebird Candy shop in historic downtown Logan,” Sandra Emile, artistic director of the Cache Valley Civic Ballet, said.

Dancers from the Cache Valley Civic Ballet visited Bluebird Candy Co. and their Nutcracker-themed candy windows.

Dancers from the Cache Valley Civic Ballet visited the magical scene at Bluebird Candy Co. to get a taste of The Nutcracker this holiday season and are looking forward to returning to the stage as soon as they safely can.

“Nothing is a ‘business as usual’ scenario these days,” Sandra said. “But Logan’s wonderful downtown businesses are still here for Cache Valley and our civic ballet company is just waiting in the wings to showcase our talented dancers and create the magic of ballet again for Cache Valley audiences. From our land of sugar and sweets to all of you, we wish a very sweet holiday season.”

Justin says the candy windows are designed to add a little extra Christmas magic to Downtown. “Bluebird Candy has been a tradition in Logan since 1914. We hope the community will come eat, shop, and celebrate and continue the tradition for another hundred years.”

Each candy ornament is created by a local artist and weighs approximately 400 pounds. This year’s artists include Laura Johansen, Michael Bingham, and Jeff Rollo.

Ornaments from the last two years adorn other Downtown business windows, including those at the Bluebird Restaurant on Main Street and Cache Valley Bank on Center Street. Justin hopes as years pass the ornaments can be preserved and be seen throughout Downtown during the holiday season.

While visiting Bluebird Candy, Justin invites children to drop a letter to Santa in the mailbox inside the shop and then get a free treat at the candy counter.

The Cache Valley Civic Ballet plans to return to the stage this spring performing the third act of The Sleeping Beauty.

Photos by Joel Nava