The Annual Egg Hunt At Treadwell Park—

Newtown’s Rite Of Spring: Bunnies,

Bonnets, Eggs, And Jellybeans

By Larissa Lytwyn

Celebrating the advent of springtime and the upcoming Easter holiday, Newtown families crowded into Treadwell Park at the appointed hour last Saturday morning for the town’s annual Easter egg hunt, sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department.

“This is my grandchildren’s first time here,” noted town resident Joan Baldino, smiling at 4-year-old Nicole and 2-year-old Jessica.

The children were visiting from Maryland, Ms Baldino said. “It’s a beautiful day for this kind of thing,” she added, gesturing to the morning’s sunlit skies.

Of course, no Easter egg hunt would be complete without the Easter Bunny himself — or in this case, herself.

Mary Ann Viesto, sister of Recreation Supervisor RoseAnn Reggiano, donned the requisite furry white costume.

She spent the morning interacting with tots, helping children find Easter eggs and posing for pictures with them and their clearly charmed parents.

Theresa, Ms Viesto’s 12-year-old daughter, described the event as a “lot of fun.” Theresa spent the morning assisting her mother and Parks and Recreation officials facilitate the various activities.

“When I was little I participated in the Easter egg hunt,” she said. “Now I can help!”

Among the candy-filled plastic eggs “hidden” in plain sight on the park’s vast fields were specially marked prize eggs that were empty inside.

Children lucky enough to snatch them were awarded with giant sports and toy-themed Easter baskets.

Adding to the excitement of the event were the Easter bonnet and jellybean contests.

About a half-dozen youngsters, flanked by proud parents, showed off their lavishly decorated straw, denim, and knit hats.

Newtown High School Girl Scout Troop 134 of the Girl Scouts of Southwestern Connecticut served as judges.

First place winner Lydia Field’s hat was adorned in everything from a tiny My Little Pony doll to a toy Easter Bunny.

Second and third place winners were sisters Kylie and Calista Giroux, their “bonnets” festooned with plastic eggs and bunny-ears.

“They had such a fun time making their bonnets,” laughed their mother, Nancy Giroux. “They had a great time.”

She said they had decided to participate this year after enjoying last year’s contest.

Ten-year-old Jamie Whelan made the closest guess to win the 1,200 jellybeans housed in a good-sized glass jar.

“I love jellybeans,” exclaimed Jamie, who said she has attended the town Easter egg hunt for years. Winning, she said, made the event even more fun.

“It was wonderful,” said Ms Reggiano. “It made my day!”

On behalf of Parks and Recreation, she thanked Girl Scout Troop 134 for their assistance in organizing the various events.

“They were a great help to us.”