Candy cane hunt sends kids on holiday scramble
NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP – It didn’t take long for thousands of candy canes to disappear from the grass at Roberts Ridge Park Saturday morning.
Within minutes, the peppermint treats were scooped up by more than 200 kids who scrambled across the grass in what has become a holiday tradition in the township.
Moments earlier, Santa energized the kids as they waited for the hunt to begin.
After arriving on a NewWRZn FLrH AssRFLDWLRn firH truck, he sped by a sea of young faces, as they watched in amazement as the man in the red suit and white beard rode by on a Torro Workhorse. Seconds later, Santa was working the crowd, giving out highfivHs WR WKH NLGs, sWRSSLng D few times to listen to a wish and ringing his jiggle bells.
Welcoming the special guest from the North Pole were Newtown Township Supervisors Rob Ciervo and Ryan Gallagher, Newtown Business Association President Mick Petrucci, Kathy Pawlenko, the director of the Newtown Township Parks and Recreation Department, and the ChicFil-A cows.
Ciervo thanked the Newtown Township Police Department, the Newtown Fire Association, the parks and recreation department and the event two main sponsors, the NBA and Teletronics, for making the Candy Cane Hunt possible.
Petrucci said the NBA is glad to step forward and help support this year’s hunt.
“We are all about supporting community,” he said. “It’s a wonderful event that has been going on for many years. It’s just our way as a business association of giving back and we’re happy to be doing this today.”
Pawlenko reveled in the excitement as Santa made his way past the hundreds of children who came out to the hunt.
“I love watching the kids as Santa Claus arrives. They are so excited. It just makes you realize what the holidays are all about - having fun,” said Pawlenko. “Look at all these happy faces,” she continued. “It’s a great start to the holiday season in Newtown. I love it.”
The kids loved it too as they counted the spoils of the hunt and made sure Santa heard their Christmas wish lists, which included everything from electronics to Hungry Hippos.
Supporting the event with donated prizes were First National Bank, Michaels, Zebra Striped Whale, Safe Kids, Newtown Pro Shop, Five Below, Piccolo Trattoria, Sesame Place, ChicFil-A, Normans Hallmark, Milk Money, Dogs and Cats Rule and Learning Express.