Standing with a basket full of candy and prizes he had just collected at Brookfield’s Easter egg hunt, Liam Cresanto wanted to talk about the weather.
“I can’t believe I have to wear my winter coat on Easter eve,” the 11-year-old boy said.
The weather is more of a factor now that organizers have moved the hunt from the township administration building and its paved parking lot to Brookfield Township Community Park, with its open green spaces and potential for mud.
Just as the siren sounded beginning the little kids’ hunt, a light but steady rain started to fall. A rain that meant the teens who were going to participate in a second hunt, “They’re gonna get wet,” said organizer Tabatha Dickson.
“It is what it is,” she said. “That’s where Mother Nature’s at. We’re at her mercy.”
Despite the rain, many people called the March 30 event in its new location a success.
“I think it’s a lot more room for parking and everything,” said Sara Wiesen, who brought her sons, ages ages 8 and 11. “They needed this space.”
“It was great, well organized, the kids had fun,” said Liam’s mom, Angelina, who also had her 7-year-old daughter with her.
For the younger kids’ hunt, organizers staged three separate areas for the kids depending on age.
“We have this big field, now. We know we need to spread it out a little bit further next year,” Dickson said, adding that she was looking forward to feedback to guide her in planning next year’s event.
“I thought it was great. There’s a lot of great prizes and the girls really had a good time,” said Alexis Spence-Locke of Hermitage, who brought her daughters, ages 10 and 6.
“It’s a really great time, and it’s a great community event for the kids,” she said.
“I thought it was really nice that Brookfield comes together like this and does this for the kids,” Wiesen said.
Dickson thanked her volunteers, many of them teens, who came out to help.
“I think it went amazing,” she said. “We had a good turnout. Got some ideas on how to improve it next year.”
