Kids Go on Easter Candy Spree in Little Compton

A little rain didn’t stop the youngest residents of Little Compton from enjoying the Easter season on Saturday. Children of all ages gathered at the ’s gymnasium to celebrate the Easter holiday by gathering candy for their Easter baskets. Candy was spread out across the floor in the gym while the adults held back the kids. Once the floor was sufficiently covered, the kids were let loose and told to fill their candy bags.

Children sprawled out all over the floor on their bellies searching for stray pieces of candy. Kids shared, traded and tasted their candy with their friends. Little ones shrieked with delight at their full Easter baskets.

Lily Belle DeSousa, 3, and her little sister Jackie, 1, both from Little Compton, enjoyed their overflowing bag of candy. Evidence of their enjoyment was all over their faces.

“Skittles are my favorite candy,” said Lily.

Lily plans to leave the Easter Bunny candy, but can’t promise she won’t take a few pieces for herself. “I’m going to share the candy, but I may eat the Easter Bunny’s candy,” she explained.

Aiden O’Connor, 6 months old, and his big brother Finn, 3, also from Little Compton, also enjoyed their treats. Finn wore an old-school favorite: a candy necklace. As he ate his candy necklace, he talked about his weekend holiday plans.

“I’m going to grandma’s for Easter dinner. We’re having ham,” said Finn. “And maybe some ice cream.”

The older kids hunted for candy in the main gymnasium while the younger kids, aged five and under, played in a separate area.

Asher and Fitch Pinkerton, ages 4 and 1, from Little Compton attended the event with their mom, Lindsey. Both boys seemed to be enjoying their limitless candy consumption.

“I think its just fun for everyone to get together, especially on a rainy day. It’s a fun thing to do with the kids,” said Pinkerton. “Although, my kids will never sleep tonight after all this candy.”

The has hosted the Easter celebration for the past 13 or 14 years. Normally, the candy hunt is held outdoors at Veterans’ Field, but the school gym doubles as the rain site for days with inclement weather. 

“We hold the kids back while we set up the space and then we tell them to get as much candy as they can,” explained Gina Malloy, director of the center.

Luke Ingalls, age 11 from Little Compton, Ella Arms, age 9 from Providence, Teddy Lyons, age 8 from Hanover, NH, Austin Hall, age 6 from Little Compton and Billy Lyons, age 6 also from Hanover, NH enjoyed sharing their candy with other participants.

“We got every kind of candy there was so we shared some of it,” said Teddy. Both Teddy and his brother Billy are visiting relatives for the weekend. Billy attended the Easter candy spree as part of his birthday celebration, which is today.