Dozens of children were signed up for the first of its kind St. Patrick’s Day treasure hunt in Park Ridge last Sunday, taking part in a spring egg scramble-like event at Centennial Park in Park Ridge.
The St. Patrick’s Day Treasure Hunt was presented by the Park District. Lucky the Leprechaun made an appearance and announced when youngsters could go onto the lawn by the playground to seek treasures, including bubbles, rubber duckies, gold coins and other small toys – plus lollipops. Each child received a pot to fill.
“It’s just we all come together to do fun stuff for their (patron) kids and the families,” said Meghan O’Neill, youth and special events supervisor for the Park District. “And it’s amazing to see, because we do an egg hunt too, just seeing the looks on the kids’ faces when they run out and find different things.
Beaded necklaces could be found. Some of them, in gleaming St. Patrick’s Day colors, were strung on trees with Lucky the Leprechaun sometimes stepping in to help youngsters reach them.
“I hope the kids have a wonderful day today and they all fill their pots of gold with treasures and sweets and goodies and have a good time,” Lucky the Leprechaun said right before starting the hunt.
O’Neill was pleased with the weather.
“It’s gorgeous, it’s a nice March day, perfect St. Patrick’s Day weather for the event,” O’Neill said about the nearly 50-degree air temperature. “I like to see the kids’ faces and the parents, because it seems that parents have a lot of fun too, watching their kids come out and play.”
Joe and Natalia McCaffrey, of Park Ridge, accompanied their children Liam, 2, and Emmy, 4.
Since St. Patrick’s Day brings up the theme of good luck and cheer, Joe McCaffrey hoped for his children’s “health and for them to have fun.”
Natalia McCaffrey expressed her gratitude for the family event programs, calling them “creative” and opportunities for families to “have something to do, something fun for the kids to do and they really enjoy coming to all these events.”
Camryn Holly, 4, a preschooler of Park Ridge, was assisted by her father Jason Holly in finding treats and toys. For a fortunate 2025, Jason Holly hoped for “stability” for the world.
Paula Silver, of Park Ridge, the parent of Freyja Smith, 18 months, talked about a family wish for an enduring lucky pot of gold at St. Patrick’s Day.
“So far we’ve been very healthy,” Paula Silver said with a smile. “I hope it continues.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer.
