National Cotton Candy Day – December 7

The origins of National Cotton Candy Day are intertwined with the fascinating history of the treat itself. Cotton candy’s story begins in the late 19th century when two unlikely collaborators, dentist William Morrison and confectioner John C. Wharton, invented the first cotton candy machine in 1897. They called their creation “Fairy Floss,” a name that captured the ethereal, delicate nature of the spun sugar treat.

Morrison and Wharton unveiled their invention at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. The machine, which heated and spun sugar into fine threads, wowed attendees. Over 68,000 boxes of Fairy Floss were sold during the event, making it an instant sensation.

By the 1920s, the treat had adopted the name “cotton candy,” thanks to another inventor, Josef Lascaux, who improved the machine design and marketed the product under this now-iconic name. Over the decades, cotton candy became a staple at fairs, carnivals, and amusement parks worldwide.

While the exact origins of National Cotton Candy Day are unclear, it likely emerged as a way to honor the legacy of this beloved confection and its inventors. Celebrated on December 7, this day pays homage to the creativity and joy that cotton candy continues to bring to generations.