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Kiwanis getting ready for egg hunt
Upcoming local events will give youth chances to enjoy the fun of hunting for Easter eggs and other related activities.
The annual Kiwanis Club Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, March 31, at the field past Shelter House No. 2 inside Gunn Park. Hundreds of area youngsters typically participate in the event to hunt for plastic eggs stuffed with candy and other prizes.
Kiwanis member Scott Flater, chairman for the event, said there are a few changes planned for this year.
Organizers have changed the age category for groups in which participants will be placed. In past years, children were divided into two separate groups -- preschool and kindergarten age and first-through-fifth grades -- for two separate hunts. This year, one group will include kids of kindergarten age and below, and the other will include youngsters in second through fifth grades.
Kiwanis members will be present to help direct youngsters during the hunt. Members of the Key Club, the Kiwanis program for high school teens, come out to assist, Flater said.
Flater said Kiwanis members will stuff and place about 2,200 Easter eggs.
Another change this year will be the content of several of the eggs. In the past, 300 eggs were stuffed with $1 bills. This year, participants could find one of 150 $1 bills or 150 $1 gold coins in their eggs.
Other eggs will have gift certificates to local businesses and tickets for other goodies provided by the Kiwanis Club.
Flater said he encourages children who participate to remember to look inside their eggs while at the park so as not to possibly miss out on a prize. In the past, some kids who won prizes went home before claiming them.
The eggs will be hidden in the park near the shelter house. The Easter Bunny will be present for photos. Kids who plan to participate should bring their own bags or baskets.
Also new this year will be recycling buckets set up in each field for kids who leave behind the plastic eggshells.
"We're going to try to recycle the eggshells so we don't have to purchase 2,200 eggs every year," Flater said. "We'll see if it works."
Flater said organizers are hoping for better weather than the area has seen the last few days. If it rains, the hunt will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7, in the same location.
Also planned the weekend of the egg hunt is the Eggstravaganza Craft Program, scheduled from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 31, at Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave. The event is open to area preschool through fifth grade youngsters.
For a $1 fee, youth can participate in various craft projects and activities such as face painting. Snacks and drinks will be available.