Photos by Rick Hiduk
Children pull eggs out of a bucket in Meshoppen Ball Park (top) on Saturday during the annual Holiday Fund Easter Egg Hunt. Five lucky youths went home with new bicycles (above).
Showers of sleet, brisk winds and intermittent snow flurries couldn’t stop the Meshoppen Holiday Fund Egg Hunt in Meshoppen on Saturday. Children and adults were bundled against the cold, and most remained in high spirits as they lined up by age group to fill their baskets and bags with plastic eggs from a large central bucket in the parking lot.
In stark contrast to last year when the grass in the park was green and growing, and temperatures hovered in the 60s, the field where the eggs would normally have been hidden was brown and still soggy from recent rain and snow. Coffee and hot chocolate, as well as hot dogs and a variety of baked goods, were the compromise for a spring that just can’t seem to take hold.
With the traditional hunting of eggs in the field a messy proposition, event coordinator Holly Stark and her many helpers opted to have each age group collect a similar number of eggs from the bucket, which is usually reserved for the infant to two-year old group. The brightly colored eggs contained small pieces of candy, numbered slips of paper, or both.
The numbered slips were redeemed for a variety of prizes, including filled Easter baskets, stuffed animals and other toys, large pieces of molded chocolate and other candy. In age group, a bicycle donated by a local business was awarded. Scooters were also given away to several of the younger children.
Facebook was abuzz throughout the afternoon with local residents thanking Stark for handling another successful community event, and Stark posted a message thanking the volunteers who helped to fill eggs and distribute eggs, food, and prizes. The Meshoppen Holiday Fund also produces the annual Halloween Party and Costume Parade in October.
Additional winners of the larger prizes are shown below. Check back tomorrow for additional photos.
