Here’s a great off-hours use of airport x-ray machines:

It seems that in Great Falls, Montana one of the local hospitals usually invites families to bring their Halloween candy by to get x-rayed, in case there are any tricks in there instead of treats.

But this year, that screening had to be called off because,  due to worries about the H1N1 virus,  kids under 17 aren’t being allowed to visit the hospital right now.

Instead, the Great Falls International Airport came to the rescue by offering up its X-ray machines.

From 7-10 pm this past Saturday night, families could get a free “pumpkin” parking pass and bring bags of Halloween candy in for screening.

Speaking of candy at the airport – and sitting here eyeing all the leftover Halloween candy at my house –  don’t forget that year-round you can find some great locally-made candy at many airports.

At Chicago O’Hare International Airport, for example, there’s Vosages Haut Chocolate, which is currently offering Bacon Caramel Toffee and Mo’s Bacon Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix among other in-vogue treats.

DeBrand Fine Chocolates, which has giant caramel apples that serve up to eight people, has an outlet at Indiana’s Fort Wayne International Airport.  And you’ll find locally-made gourmet candy in many airport shops.  For example, Missouri’s at Kansas City International Airport,  the KCI Marketplace and the CNBC stores carry Missouri Walking Sticks, Missouri Mud Munch, and other chocolates from the Candy House in Joplin, Missouri.

Have you found some great local candy at an airport?  Let us know!

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