The hunt for the red and white December
The Sugar Plum Fairy's got nothing on Sandie Renwick.
Sure, Ms. Sugar Plum's got the cool outfit and that whole Kingdom of Sweets thing going for her.
But Renwick's the one who will be running Naperville Park District's third annual Candy Cane Hunt for about 80 kids on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Barn Recreation Center, 421 W. Martin Ave. Which means she's the one who's been spending time in the aisles over at Wal-Mart stashing away bags of red and white treats to match any visions dancing in tiny little heads.
The park district's Candy Cane Hunt began in 2006 as the brainchild of Corrine Kroger, a program manager who brought the idea over from Glen Ellyn Park District.
Now in its third year here, the hunt is aimed at kids ages 3 to 5 and their parents or guardians.
The program - which costs $14 for Naperville residents and $21 for others - will be offered from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Participating kids and their parents get to knock back some hot chocolate and cookies, make a small craft in the shape of a candy cane, and hear holiday tales from storyteller Dan Lemonnaer.
Once his presentation is over, it'll be time for the hunt.
Renwick says she and her team will stash hundreds of candy canes in Knoch Park to test kids' retrieval skills.
Keeping the age differences of the youngsters in mind, some canes will be easy to find and others will be a tad more challenging.
"It'll be like an Easter egg hunt," she says.
Really lucky youngsters may find one of five large plastic canes they can bring back to the Barn and exchange for special prizes that are likely to be small toys or stuffed animals appropriate for both girls and boys.
If the weather doesn't cooperate, the hunt will be conducted indoors.
"This is just a fun event," says Renwick, who came to Naperville from Bolingbrook Park District in August and will be experiencing her first candy cane hunt. "The kids and their parents get to go from one thing to another and there's no standing in long lines."
It's the kind of program that could qualify Renwick for a spot in the S.P. Fairy Hall of Fame - but she insists she doesn't have the wardrobe for it.
"I might have a Santa hat on," she says, "but otherwise I'll be wearing regular clothes."
<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> Candy Cane Hunt, sponsored by Naperville Park District</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Barn Recreation Center, 421 W. Martin Ave., Naperville</p> <p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> $14 for residents, $21 for others</p> <p class="News"><b>Deadline:</b> Registration required by Friday, Dec. 5</p> <p class="News"><b>Info:</b> (630) 848-5000 or <a href="http://www.napervilleparks.org" target="new">napervilleparks.org</a></p>