Willy Wonka candy bars bring big prizes

Mary and Peter Ruscoe with cast of "Willy Wonka"

Debbie Crowe with artistic director Rick Kerby

So if you haven't seen "Willy Wonka" at the Manatee Players, you should. Even if it's just to get one of their delicious Willy Wonka candy bars, which are on sale in the Manatee Players' lobby for $5. Like in the musical, you could be a golden ticket winner as there are a couple of Golden Tickets still floating around in a few of the bars. Each golden ticket has a special prize attached to it.

Three of the five tickets have already been claimed, with two recent winners Debbie Crowe and Mary and Peter Rusco. Crowe, manager of Bradenton's Shake Pit, won a candy gift basket, Mattison's Riverside gift certificates and free admission to the South Florida Museum. The Ruscoes won a candy gift basket, Mattison's Riverside gift certificates and tickets to see Drumline at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

So that means there's two tickets left - at least, as of yesterday afternoon. Those tickets are connected to Disney World tickets and being a bat boy or girl at a Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training game.

- January Holmes