Painted rocks — the city’s hottest trend
By Mo Cranker on October 1, 2018.
NEWS PHOTO MO CRANKER Rebecca and Alessia Sklarchuk hide a rock at the Kinette Korner in Kin Coulee Park Friday, Sept. 28, 2018. Rebecca started a Facebook group called Medicine Hat Rocks in 2016 that encourages Hatters to paint and hide rocks around the city -- and to go out as a family to look for them. When people find or hide rocks they post them to the group to share their experiences.
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com @MHNmocranker One of the hottest trends in the city right now revolves around painted rocks. A Facebook group called Medicine Hat Rocks has reached more than 1,600 members recently and it encourages Hatters to paint rocks, hide them around the city and then post to the group a hint at where new rocks are hidden, or when rocks are found. “I was actually on vacation in 2016 and was walking in the park — that’s when I saw what looked to be a cat staring at me from a tree,” said group founder Rebecca Sklarchuk. “When I took a closer look I saw that it was a rock with some writing on the back about a Facebook group — like the one I started here. “The next day we found another one at a McDonalds and I just loved the idea.” When Sklarchuk got back to the Gas City she made the Medicine Hat Rocks Facebook group, but things didn’t turn out as she expected — at least not right away. “No one was posting in it — people just weren’t interested,” she said. “About three months ago things really picked up for the group — I’m not sure what it was but things just really took off. “Now there’s multiple posts every day of people around the city hiding or finding rocks.” Sklarchuk says the group creates one more way to spend time as a family — and it can really be a way of expressing one’s artistic side. “We’re all so busy and we’re always doing so many things,” she said. “Going out and spending the afternoon as a family can be a really fun time and it’s just nice to get away from work, the TV or the iPad. “We’ve also seen so many great designs are art pieces shared in the group — it’s really amazing what people have been able to do.” There are no firm rules with the group but Sklarchuk says people are asked to write a message on the back of rocks they are hiding that will direct people to the Facebook group — and she recommends using a sealant to keep the designs intact during rain or snow. To get in on the fun go to http://www.facebook.com/groups/1213554678669192/ 14
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