Thousands of marshmallows rained down from a helicopter over two Detroit-area parks on Friday, creating a unique spectacle as children eagerly raced to collect the sweet, gooey treats.
This annual Marshmallow Drop, a popular event organized by Wayne County Parks, took place hours apart in Trenton and Westland, Michigan.
"It was great. The weather is beautiful, and I think this is a great thing to do with all the kids to start off Easter and the weekend, so yeah, I think it’s wonderful," remarked Anna Grote, a Westland resident who attended with her boyfriend and his 10-year-old son.
Hundreds of children at both locations cheered enthusiastically as the helicopter approached the drop zone. A passenger then emptied sacks of treats onto the grass below, with the aircraft making three passes to ensure marshmallows reached different age groups.
David Alexander was in Westland with his two kids, 7 and 10. The Inkster resident encouraged them “to be the first ones at the line.”
“Ready, set, go. Be the first one, take off,” he said.
Officials stressed that, although tempting, the marshmallow must not be eaten, because they struck the ground. Instead, kids exchanged the fluffy treats for a prize.
Some kids snatched up way more than one, and their parents kindly dumped most back onto the turf, allowing other kids a shot at it.
“Everybody was nice. There wasn't any pushing, there wasn't any shoving, no fighting,” said Alexander, a first-time attendee.
Grote said her boyfriend's son “did not have any difficulty at all” in procuring a marshmallow.
“The thrill of the hunt, right,” she said, laughing.
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