Nostalgia and #CrackerJack snacks {#giveaway}

There is not a time that I don't remember craving Cracker Jack brand popcorn.  It almost always hits me at the same time ever year.  I get a massive itch for that caramel-drenched popcorn mingling with salty nuts once the Spring air begins to thaw.  That time that sneaks up between huddling on the bleachers in an over-sized sweatshirt with my legs under a blanket and sprawling on the grass wearing a t-shirt with the sleeves bunched up and pant legs rolled to my knees so that sun can kiss my shoulders and my pasty legs.

Who knows what time I'm talking about?  That's right - BASEBALL SEASON!

I grew up playing softball and loving baseball.  And baseball players.  Really.  If I dated a boy in high school, he played baseball*.  Apparently I had a type.  But even before then, when I was young enough to pedal my my pink Huffy down to the practice fields - mitt laced through one handlebar, my wooden bat with my name engraved on it balancing between my hand and the other handlebar - I've always loved the crack of the bat.  The magic of the dust flying through the air as somebody rounds the base at top speed.  And the reliable little rectangular boxes of Cracker Jack snacks that I could get from the snack bar...two stuck together for $1.00.  I would always rip those boxes apart as carefully as I could, so that I could eat one right away, and throw one into my basket to take home for later.

And really, I guess that Cracker Jack snacks and baseball go hand-in-hand.  Know why?  Well, baseball is an American pastime.  And Americans have been enjoying Cracker Jack snacks for more than 120 years.  I didn't realize that they had been around that long!

Now, I'm not sure if they sell them in the boxes like they used to.  But they do still have their signature prize inside.  Don't even tell me that wasn't your (secret) favorite part of eating a box of Cracker Jack snacks.

Like the packaging, the prizes have been updated.  They include classic stickers with fun facts and special codes that offer digital codes that unlock surprises online through a free Cracker Jack-branded app featuring two nostalgic games (Baseball and Pinball).   Gotta keep up with the times, I suppose.  They have also added two new flavors: Butter Toffee (my new personal favorite), and Kettle Corn.  Plus, they've added more peanuts to the Original flavor.  Though, in my personal opinion - I'd love another giant handful of peanuts in mine!

So, how 'bout you - have you tried either of the new flavors?  Does the mention of Cracker Jack snacks make you nostalgic?  What are some of your favorite Cracker Jack brand memories?  If you'd like a chance to try all 3 flavors (and you live in the USA), you can enter below for a chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Okay, they didn't all play baseball.  But the majority did.

These Cracker Jack snack products were provided to me by Cracker Jack brand for my participation in a blogging/trial program.  Products were not intended for a favorable review.  No compensation was received for this post.  Cracker Jack brand will also be providing the product for the giveaway winner.  All opinions stated in this post are 100% my own.