As Adam Grzywna and his family gathered outside of the clubhouse at Stony Creek Golf Course last week, the falling snow was starting to pick up. The white stripes of the candy canes scattered around a small field were starting to blend in with the fluff. But his two children had flashlights in hand and were not at all deterred by what some would consider to be inclement weather.
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“They’re loving that it’s snowing, finally,” said Grzywna, of Oak Lawn. “They’re excited. I think the snow makes it even more exciting for them.”
They, along with about 100 children who turned up for the Oak Lawn Park District’s sold-out Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt, were on a mission. Hundreds of candy canes — small, large, traditional and multicolored — were spread across the field outside at Stony Creek for the event in its sixth year.
Tracey Gallik, general manager for the Oak Lawn Park District’s Oak View Center, said registration opened on Oct. 31, and the event had filled up by Nov. 5.
“This event usually sells out, but this year in particular we were surprised to see it fill so quickly,” Gallik said. “They just love being able to get out around the holidays to do something fun, do something different. It gets everybody in the holiday spirit.”
Grzywna said this was the first year his family has hunted candy canes, but they have been to the Park District’s egg hunts.
“It’s probably something we’ll keep coming back for,” he said.
Katie Hutchinson, of Oak Lawn, followed kids, 2-year-old Riley and 8-year-old Tim, as they searched for sweet treats. Hutchinson said they try to pack in a good number of events every holiday season.
“We usually go and look at all the Christmas lights,” she said. “We try to do anything with the Park District that’s related. Santa Claus they usually have over by the Oak Lawn Library.”
Gallik said the candy cane hunt used to occur during the day but switched to a flashlight hunt six years ago. Stony Creek has always been the host site for the event, with the clubhouse offering crafts and a cookie-decorating activity, as well as hot cocoa. Families were divided into groups that moved around for the various activities.
Christina Clark, of Oak Lawn, said her family appreciated that it fell on a Thursday.
‘Something new during the week is nice, because the weekends are always super-busy,” Clark said.
The weather was no obstacle for her 4-year-old, who quickly sampled the snow before heading out on the field to find candy canes.
“Just anything to bring excitement,’ Clark said with a laugh. “Even eating snow — she’s excited for that.”
Bill Jones is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.