THUNDER BAY – The sun was shining and the chocolate and prizes were aplenty on Good Friday, as hundreds of children descended on Frank Charry Park for the annual East End Easter egg hunt.
Among the throng who raced out onto the field in search of were nine-year-olds Kelsey Ellacott and Hope Lenardon, who said the hunt has long been a tradition in their families.
“It’s really fun and it’s really generous because it’s free and you don’t have to pay and money – and there are big prizes you can win,” said Hope, decked out in bunny make-up along with her friend.
Kelsey said it was lot of fun.
“It’s nice to come and get eggs,” she said.
Both girls are big fans of the Easter weekend.
“It’s a nice holiday to get together with your family,” she said.
“It’s nice to celebrate and you can have egg hunts, and also the Easter Bunny comes,” Hope added.
Put on for the ninth straight year by the Hill City Kinsmen, organizers tossed out thousands of plastic eggs onto the park’s ball field, participants divided into four age groups for the hunt itself.
Eleven-year-old Mikaela Barstead volunteered, a year too old to actually join the mad dash for eggs on the field.
“I’ve been doing this for all these years and my mom’s helping out, so I get to throw the eggs around and go hunting.”
The youngster said it’s a great activity for Thunder Bay’s children.
“Kids get to get out and exercise instead of playing video games,” she said.
Her friend Melissa Otto couldn’t agree more.
“It’s my first year helping out and I just like helping the little kids get some Easter eggs,” she said. “
And the best part of the day?
That’s easy, Melissa said.
“It’s probably getting to see the little kids’ faces when they get their eggs,” she said, adding Easter to her means happiness and love.
Kinsman James Iannetti, co-chair of the event, said it’s always a great day, especially after it’s all said and done.
“It’s just great to see the kids enjoy it, No. 1 receiving the eggs, and the community actually giving back,” Ianetti said.
