The 3rd Annual Candy Cane Hunt for Monroe - West Monroe on Saturday, December 8th was no easy task due to this past weekend's weather, however, kids with smiling faces and families having fun still happened! Due to predicted rain, the event location changed from Kiroli Park to the Outdoor Arena at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center. Saturday morning when I arrived early, flooding started to occur in two areas of the pavilion. The staff at the Ike quickly arrived and resolved as much damage as possible and made it safe for all to enter.
We could not have asked for a better partnership than Centric Federal Credit Union this year as they provided everything Santa and enhanced our signage or the hunt spaces. "Jumbo Cane" sponsors of this year's event include Finding Solace, Dr. Matt Turpin, Strauss Youth Academy for the Arts, 2 High Trampoline Park Ruston, Newks and CC's Coffee House. "Mini Candy Cane" sponsors were Tubbs by Grubbs, Ruffles and Lace, Pelican Trade Moxey, and Stake Your Sign. Thank you to all the volunteers from The Assembly West Monroe, ULM Hawkline, Order of the Eastern Star Monroe, West Ouachita High School, West Monroe High School, and Ouachita Parish High School who did a tremendous job in registration, prize table, and the candy cane fields. Special thanks to Sarah as volunteer coordinator, and Shelly as vendor coordinator, and my husband and son for all your hard work the past five months!
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Over 20,000 candy canes were spread out for two special needs hunts and four general hunt times. The Scavenger Hunt wasn't what I had originally planned for the Kiroli Park; however, it became a Search and Find activity with hidden photos and candy cane prizes as a reward. We had over 25 prizes for specially marked candy canes! Prizes were donated by The Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum, Canes, Magic Grill West Monroe, 2 High Trampoline Park, Texas Roadhouse, Centric FCU, and Macaroni Kid Monroe-West Monroe.
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Crafts, games, and holiday shopping at local merchant booths provided activities for kids and parents. Kids bowled with Bayou Bowl, made Santa Gators with Ms. Nova and Black Bayou, made reindeer food with Newks and CCs, created individual bookmarks with Meghan's Usborne, and played cornhole at Dr. Turpin's booth, and a visit with special guest, Queen of the Krewe of Janus. 887 The Cross with Power 927 played family-friendly festive music. Everyone was able to visit with Santa and grab a free photo op!
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We hope each of the families that attended had a fun time and we look forward to a warmer and sunnier event next year!
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View more photos of the event and download by clicking HERE
