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Painting, hiding rocks finds new popularity

Lafayette?Hotel to host painting party Thursday

By Ron Johnston 4 min read

MARIETTA -- Get out your paintbrushes because rock painting has taken over in Washington County. Those of all ages have taken a liking to this new trend that involves painting a rock, marking it on the back and hiding it for the next person to find.

"I saw it on Facebook and just started painting them," said Williamstown resident Tina Schwaigert, 39.

Schwaigert and her stepdaughter, Khloe Schwaigert, 11, have been painting rocks and hiding them throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley for several months. They said they hide them and even re-hide some of them in Williamstown and anywhere else their travels take them.

"It helps calm me down and I don't worry about as much," said seventh-grader Khloe as she put sprinkles on her donut-themed rock recently. "I usually look at the shape to decide what to paint or find ideas online."

Tina said the best part about painting rocks has been enjoying the time with Khloe as they paint.

"It's something for us to do together. We will be sitting here painting rocks talking and before we know it, it's 10 p.m.," said Tina. "The whole process is fun, finding the rocks and hiding them."

The Schwaigerts will post their rocks to the Facebook page called MOV Rocks. There are also a few others in the area that people use including Western WV Rocks, Northeast Ohio Rocks, Rock On Marietta OH, New Matamoras Rock Hunters and more.

Like the Schwaigerts, people find a lot of their rocks just lying around. Popular places that rocks are hidden include parks or even in stores. There's no telling where you might find a rock and absolutely no way to tell what will be on them. Ladybugs, unicorns, motivational phrases, rainbows, kittens and more could be found painted. Rocks also come in all shapes and sizes but most are stones found out of the river.

Holly Hamrick, 31, of Marietta, created the MOV Rocks page after she came across a rock group in Richmond, Va.

"I have two little kids and I get to work with Veritas Classical Academy so I'm constantly on the lookout for fun activities to do with them," she said. "I came across Richmond, Virginia's group on social media several months ago and thought it would be an extra fun activity that would keep the kids connected over summer break, and knew it would be perfect for our community."

Hamrick then created the group on Facebook and had the first and second grade class of Veritas Classical Academy paint rocks as an art assignment.

"We hid them while we were on a field trip," she said. "I love it. I think it's a great, easy activity to get kids playing outside and it gives families a fun activity to do together. It really feels like a great fit for our community with all the wonderful outdoor activities we already have going on."

The Lafayette Hotel is even hosting a rock painting party this Thursday just for this new activity. There is a Facebook event for the rock painting party where people can RSVP. Rocks are 25 cents each if you need to use the paint and supplies at the Lafayette Hotel. Anyone who brings their own supplies can paint for free. The party is from 6-8 p.m.

"We originally had a small party before but then people asked if they could come so this party is for anyone and everyone," said Christine Thrasher, director of sales for the Lafayette Hotel.

Thrasher herself also enjoys painting rocks and said she got started finding these rocks in Amish country.

"It's a fun activity that gets you out of the house. It's honestly fun for all ages," she said. "I'm thrilled this activity is expanding. It's a lot of fun and you can paint whatever you want. It's bringing the community together."

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