THUNDER BAY - There was no mistaking the time of year at Victoriaville on Saturday with Easter colours around every corner, and nine-year-old Mason Stigen was doing his part to make things even more colourful.
“I like colours,” Mason said while painting Easter eggs with his 5-year-old sister, Avryl. “If you really like colours, like me, then we can paint with whatever colours we want.”
Mason and Avryl were two of hundreds of kids who came out for the Eggstravaganza at Victoriaville Mall on Saturday.
The annual event held every Easter included an Easter egg hunt, face painting, pictures with the Easter Bunny, rabbit petting, and of course, egg painting.
Brian Philips, manager of the Victoriaville Mall, said the annual festivities started five years ago and in his short time as manager, he has seen its popularity grow substantially.
“This is the biggest I’ve seen,” he said. “I’ve only been here a year. Last year there was 150 people, but today it looks like we’ve broken that to around 350 people. It’s really ramping up now.”
“Victoriaville is kind of the centre of the south core,” Philips added. “We like to strive to have something for everybody in the area. And it’s free, which pulls in the community spirit.”
Monique Boucher, who was there with her kids Mason and Avryl for the first time, said the Eggstravaganza is a perfect way to spend the day during the long weekend.
“It’s a fun event,” she said. “It gets the kids to socialize with other kids and it’s Easter and it’s just a lot of fun.”
Elizabeth was also there with her four-year-old son, Frank, for the first time and she said it’s a great event for families.
“I think it’s great,” she said. “It’s really nice to see everybody get together. I was surprised to see such a big turnout. I think it’s really healthy for the children and everybody to get out and become one with the community.”
Boucher said she was sorry she missed the Eggstravaganza last year, but she is really happy she could bring her family to enjoy all the fun activities this year.
“They are having a lot of fun and they are hoping to stay here until It’s over,” she said. “We will definitely be coming back next year.”
As for Mason and his sister, when the egg painting was done, it was time to head out for the Easter egg hunt, and luckily, Mason has an unbeatable strategy.
“Mostly eggs in the Easter egg hunt are below something,” he said. “So I will look below things and if I don’t find it there, then I’m going to check somewhere else.”
