Egg Hunt at Hayes Township a Resounding Success

By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY

Cleaver Senior Staff Writer

HARRISON – Through the assistance and generosity of township personnel, volunteers and sponsors, treats and prizes galore awaited the more than 200 children who came out for the Hayes Township and VFW Post 1075 combined Egg Hunt event held April 12 on the Hayes Municipal Complex soccer fields. They, of course, were accompanied by their adults, so the overall turnout was substantial – as well as gratifying to those who worked so hard to make the event a success.

Many kids were decked out in fancy, festive duds fit for this spring tradition. They also were welcomed with refreshments, including beverages, cookies and doughnuts.

Meandering the area were the Biggby Coffee Cup guy, a huge Easter egg, a huge carrot, and the Easter Bunny, all of whom were more than happy to pose for photos with the kids.

Registrants had the opportunity to participate in not only the egg hunt, but also a chance to have their name drawn to win one of six bicycles given away that day. Those bikes were donated by local merchants and individuals.

The more than 4,000 eggs distributed across the fields – which had been cordoned off to accommodate age groups of 4 years and younger; 5-9 years; and 10 years and older – contained various rewards: a bit of candy, money, toys or certificates that could be redeemed for goodies, including more candy and some huge gift baskets. There were even some boogie boards doled out.

When the time finally came to release kids onto the fields, the eager egg hunters made short work of gleaning the many prize-yielding eggs – an effort that could be likened to a swift field vacuuming.

Filling the ever-popular Touch-A-Truck opportunity for the kids were vehicles and personnel from Waste Management, Clare County Road Commission, Mobile Medical Rescue, Harrison Community Fire Department and the Clare County Sheriff Department. These folks fielded lots of questions, allowed kids to access the big trucks, and even let kids step inside the ambulance. It wasn’t long after the egg hunt portion of the event concluded that air horn cords were pulled and trucks were engaged in their own special version of “call and answer.”

The kids were asked to take advantage of the opportunity to recycle their plastic eggs, and by the end of the event there were two large trash cans overflowing with shells that will be refilled for next year.

It appeared that every child truly enjoyed the day immensely, and it was verified by those in charge that the plan is to repeat this event annually. No doubt ever child in attendance would agree that sounds like a very, very good idea.

 © Clare County Cleaver