Wick Park awash with Easter eggs for today's chilly hunt

YOUNGSTOWN

Apparently it’s never too cold to hold an Easter egg hunt, especially when more than 150 children are eagerly waiting to gather every goodie they can get.

Saturday’s deep freeze did not chill the enthusiasm of Asher Hamilton of Austintown as he gleefully picked up one colorful plastic egg after another on the frozen grass of Wick Park. Seemingly oblivious to the 18-degree temperature, the toddler, who turns 2 next month, carefully put each one into a bucket at the encouragement of his mother.

“He got a chance to practice yesterday when we were taking some professional [Easter] photos,” Lisa Hamilton said. “He would pick up every egg that was on the floor.”

The Wick Park Neighborhood Association has sponsored the annual egg hunt and breakfast the last six years. Maggie Pentz, Youngstown, who teaches at an alternative school, came up with the idea and has coordinated the event ever since.

“My son, who is now 6, was just beginning to walk at the time and my mom and I felt that an egg hunt would be great for him and for the neighborhood,” Pentz said.

Each egg contained either candy or a ticket for a prize. The children, ages 1-12, were divided into age groups in separate areas near the Wick Park Recreation Center and adults were not allowed to pick up the eggs for the kids. Due to the chill, each group’s hunt lasted only a few minutes.

Read more about the event and the young participants in Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.