HAPPY HUNTING
Annual Easter Eggstravaganza happening Saturday at Maisie Quinn
WEST WARWICK — Each spring, excited children flock with their families to Maisie E. Quinn School, baskets in hand, to hunt for eggs that have been strewn about the back field. They visit with the Easter bunny, and claim candy and chocolates and various other prizes.
This weekend, the tradition continues.
“It’s become a staple event in town,” Jason Licciardi, who represents Ward 4 on the West Warwick Town Council, said of the Easter Eggstravaganza
The free event will kick off at 9:30 a.m. this Saturday, the day before Easter, and will take place rain or shine.
Thousands of colorful eggs will be distributed around the lawn behind Maisie Quinn, each boasting candy or some other prize. Children will be split into groups based on age, and when it’s their group’s turn will have the chance to gather as many eggs as they can.
Of course, the Easter bunny will also be on site. Artist Sue Greco will be there to paint faces; local cartoonist Jerry Shippee will wow with his caricature creations.
With the help of his wife Anne Maria Raimondo and their kids, Licciardi has been organizing the event nearly every year — it was canceled one year because of the coronavirus pandemic — since he was elected to the town council in 2016.
Town employees and Licciardi’s fellow council members help out each year, as well.
“It’s a big undertaking,” he said Friday, “but it’s worth it.”
Free events like the Easter Eggstravaganza are important, Licciardi added, because they “bring the community together.”
“It’s something that I believe in,” said Licciardi, who worked for decades in parks and recreation. “I don’t think it should be funded by taxpayers, though; I think there’s many ways you can do it.”
To fund the egg hunt and an annual Halloween party, Licciardi seeks donations from local businesses and others interested in contributing.
Balise Honda of West Warwick has played a big part in ensuring those free community events are possible; since 2017, the company has given three $5,000 donations to fund events in Ward 4.
In addition to Balise, the Cowesett Avenue Walgreens is a sponsor of this year’s eggstravaganza, having
donated candy and baskets for the cause. Dunkin’, meanwhile, is supplying donuts.
The eggstravaganza typically draws hundreds of children, and Licciardi said he’s anticipating this weekend’s event to see a turnout as big as ever.
“It’s going to be one of the first outside events [of the year], everybody’s been cooped up inside,” he said. “Easter is here.”
The Easter Eggstravaganza will take place at 9:30 a.m. sharp this Saturday, March 30, at 1 Brown St., West Warwick. Attendees should bring their own bags or baskets for collecting eggs.