Easter scavenger hunt brings families to Mokena
First event many have attended in a year’s time since coronavirus pandemic began
What a difference a year makes. Last Easter, the state was locked down due to COVID-19. On Saturday, the Mokena Chamber of Commerce hosted families for an Easter scavenger hunt.
It was one of the first events the Mostyn family has attended in a year.
“We really hunkered down in quarantine,” said Alyssa Mostyn, from New Lenox. “My husband and I got vaccinated so it feels good to get back to some normalcy.”
In 2020, egg hunts and parades were canceled. This year Mostyn brought her three children, Fiona, Patrick and Aidan, to celebrate and create memories.
“Easter is our most important religious holiday, to be able to live it a little more normally now is important” she said.
The Easter Scavenger Hunt was the idea of Melissa Fedora, executive director of the Mokena Chamber of Commerce.
“The idea came from the Halloween event when things were up in the air,” Fedora said. “We did a scavenger hunt the day before Halloween on a Saturday and had 20 businesses participate, just like today.”
This time, businesses hid an inflatable Easter egg, with a bucket placed nearby for children to place their raffle tickets. Most of the participating businesses were on Front Street.
“The Halloween event was so successful, the parents and businesses were telling me we have to do this again,” Fedora said.
Each child received raffle tickets to drop off as they visited each business. Tickets were color coded for four age groups.
Winners for ages 2 to 4 were 1st place, Gabriella Ortega; 2nd place, Cora Louis; and 3rd place, Amanda Tryjefaczka.
Ages 5 to 7 winners were 1st place, Camden McManus; 2nd place, Laila Hale; and 3rd place, Luca Sabatini.
Ages 8-10 years winners were 1st place, Ryder Hale; 2nd place, Diona Vargas; and
3rd place, Gabby Derrig.
Winners for ages 11 and older were 1st place, Rylan Jones; 2nd place, Brian Stahulak; and 3rd place, Ashely Lense.
“I’ve heard a lot of people say that it was a great experience,” said Fedora. “This event got a lot of people into the small businesses in town. My goal for this was to get foot traffic in the door.” The hunt cost of $5 per child. “I wanted this to be affordable,” Fedora said. “It’s great to see kids and parents dispersed throughout the town, going in and out of businesses.”
Kimberly McAuliffe, owner of An English Garden Flowers and Gifts, has been in Mokena for 14 years.
“I always participate in things that are going on in the community,” McAuliffe said, while preparing boutonnieres for a wedding. “This is very important to me, it always has been.”
She said COVID-19 has affected her business as people turned to online sites. She was glad the Easter hunt brought in families.
“We love seeing the little ones and it gets people to know you,” McAuliffe said, welcoming them with flavored water, Capri Sun drinks, cookies and fruit snacks.
“There are so many people out there hurting, so just doing something small likes this makes them a little bit happier,” she said. “I encourage people to do something for another person. If you see someone struggling, give them a flower or buy them a cup of coffee. We need to be kinder.”
Fedora said the event fit the chamber’s slogan, Creating Community Connections.
“I really appreciate that the community is taking time out to participate to support us and the businesses,” she said. “I think it’s great the community has rallied around the businesses, especially at a time like this when they need it the most because of COVID.”