The 24th Annual Kool-Aid Days Festival has announced Hilco and CandyRific as its candy sponsors. The festival will take place Aug.19-21 in Hastings, Nebraska.

Hilco and CandyRific have licensing agreements with Kraft Heinz for Kool-Aid brand candy. Hilco is Kool-Aid brand’s first entry into the novelty candy market, and the license continues to grow with the more than 90-year-old brand.

For this year's event, the company has donated case loads of Kool-Aid Fruity Chews, and CandyRific has donated Kool-Aid Character Cases.   

Hilco’s Fruity Chews are fruity panned chewy candy in Kool-Aid flavors, including Tropical Punch, Cherry and Grape, with the Kool-Aid Man’s likeness featured on each chew. Each Cbag holds 1.76 oz. of candy. CandyRific’s Kool-Aid Character Cases are 4-inches tall and come with 0.10 oz. of Kool-Aid Tropical Punch, Cherry or Grape popping candy.

Organizers are expecting more than 20,000 people at this year’s event, which will coincide with the Oregon Trail Rodeo. Events will be held across the city, including at the Adams County Fairgrounds and the Hastings Museum. The festival’s activities include the “World’s Largest Kool-Aid Stand,” children’s games, a downtown parade, 5K run, “kardboard” boat races, and a Kool-Aid beverage drinking contest.

“Hastings, Nebraska is the birthplace of the Kool-Aid brand, and to have the popular Kool-Aid brand candy at our event for the second year in a row is sure to be a big hit again,” said Michaela Borrell, festival chairperson. “We’re so grateful to Hilco for its generous donation, and we’re thankful and excited that CandyRific has also become a sponsor with its donation this year.”