Mikaela Barstead says it’s not easy being six at Easter time, especially on the ball field at Thunder Bay’s Frank Charry Park.
The youngster was part of a record-setting Good Friday crowd that came out for the annual East End Easter Egg hunt, and wound up with about a dozen eggs in her basket.
It’s all about strategy, Mikaela said.
“Well, it’s kinda hard to run with all the other bigger kids. But I had lots of fun, though,” she said, excited about the pending visit of the Easter Bunny in a couple days time.
“Of course I am, who is not?” she said. “The Easter Bunny comes and you’re sleeping and hiding the eggs all over. It’s very fun.”
Organizers estimate about 2,000 children took part in the hunt, put on by the Hill City Kinsmen and Kinettes of Thunder Bay.
Cearra Cataldo had plenty of fun collecting eggs, too many to count, apparently.
“Lots,” was her answer when asked for a tally.
“You got to find eggs and it was fun,” the six-year-old said.
Excitement and laughter were the theme of the afternoon.
Six-year-old Brooklynn Mannhardtewing was smiling from ear to ear as she and her mom broke open the plastic eggs, seeking the chocolate treasure – or more – awaiting inside.
“We had lots of fun,” she said, “because we had to run together.”
That’s just what event co-ordinator Brent Carey wanted to hear.
“It was a great turnout again. The weather’s been great,” he said. “I think this is a popular event because the kids get outside, have fun, get a little prize, it doesn’t cost anything. The whole city’s involved.”
And even though they leave the chocolate for the kids, organizers get just as much enjoyment spreading joy throughout the community, Carey said.
“It’s a lot of fun the day of the event. It’s a lot of work coming into it. So it’s rewarding, is what it is. It’s all about the kids and giving something back to the community. And you get to dress up a little bit,” he said, flanked by two pink Easter Bunnies as he spoke.
