Lisle offers cane hunt for kids Saturday
Jenny Porrevecchio encourages everyone to be on time for Lisle Park District's Candy Cane Hunt. The hunt begins at 10 a.m. sharp Saturday, and the aquatic and fitness supervisor doesn't want any children disappointed.
The hunt is based on the same successful formula as an Easter egg hunt, where the scramble to find treats takes only minutes. Parents may help the youngest participants learn the ropes. Be sure to bring a sack for the booty.
Q. Where did you get the idea to have a candy cane hunt?
A. A staff member saw it in our Illinois Parks and Recreation Association newsletter that told how someone in California had an event like this and IPRA highlighted it. We thought it would be a good replacement for another event we were having.
Q. Does it follow the same rules as an Easter egg hunt?
A. Yes. There is no pushing, no shoving or taking candy canes from other kids. It usually lasts less than 10 minutes to find all the canes because these kids are fast. Kids need to dress for the weather because everything is outdoors.
Q. What types of candy canes do you hide?
A. We use the peppermint candy ones, as well as all different flavors and all different sizes.
Q. What does the special winning cane look like?
A. In each age group there is a special candy cane that is the prize-winning one. Whoever finds that one gets a special prize, and we have three prizes for the whole event. I can't tell you what the special candy cane looks like because that is part of the surprise, but it is different from all the rest.
Q. Is it Styrofoam?
A. No. We use only candy ones, but it is large.
Q. What are the three prizes?
A. Each is an age appropriate toy. It is usually the coolest thing we find when we go shopping for the prizes.
Q. How many candy canes do you hide and who does the job?
A. The recreation staff at the park district hides the canes. Last year, we did 300 candy canes per age group, but it depends how many people pre-register. It will be similar this year.
Q. Where do you hide the canes?
A. We try to hide them in a big open field but try not to make it too easy for the kids. We hide them in three different locations so each age group has its own location. Last year, there was snow on the ground so they had to dig through the snow to find the candy canes.
Q. Do you have as large a turnout for this event as your Easter egg hunt?
A. We get a bigger turnout for the egg hunt because it is traditional. For the Candy Cane Hunt, we might have 50 people, but we get three times that number for the egg hunt.
Q. Are there any other activities after the hunt?
A. We will have a visit from Santa. The kids can get a picture with Santa and he will have a small gift for each child. One of our sponsors, 9 FM radio (92.5 FM), will be there playing music and Trader Joe's, our second sponsor, will provide hot chocolate and cookies.
Q. What other activities will Lisle Park District have that young children might want to attend this month?
A. There are three other things that need registration by the middle of December. Camp Winter Quest is like summer camp. Cookies with Mrs. Claus is Dec. 15, when we'll eat and decorate Christmas cookies. The Little Elves Workshop Dec. 13 allows children to create a gift for someone special. This is a great opportunity for Mom and Dad to catch up on some shopping. These programs are at the Meadows Center. (Check lisleparkdistrict.org for details.)
-- Joan Broz
If you go
What: Lisle Park District Candy Cane Hunt
When: 10 a.m. Saturday
Where: Near the band shelter at Community Park, 1825 Short St., Lisle
Cost: $5 for a resident child, $8 for others; day-of sign up available
Details: Bring sack for goodies; dress for the weather; age groups are 2 and younger, 3 to 5 and 6 to 10
Details: (630) 964-3410 or lisleparkdistrict.org