The candy has been gathered and some 4,000 multicolored eggs have been plucked.
The American Legion Family has been busy preparing for the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Chautauqua Park set for Saturday at 11 a.m.
The tradition of the hunt goes back more than 50 years and the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion and Legion Riders are bringing it back for a fresh wave of pint-sized egg hunters.
Auxiliary member Marian Melcher said the motivation of putting on the hunt each year is the pure enjoyment members get from watching up to 500 children look for Easter eggs.
“I just love little kids, seeing them go after the eggs,” Auxiliary member Annora Schmidt said. “I mean it takes minutes and they are done.”
While the Auxiliary preps the eggs before the hunt, the American Legion and Sons of the American Legion run the hunt by dividing children aged 0-9 in four separate sections to hunt Easter eggs.
All four sections begin at 11 a.m. sharp, so it is important for families to arrive at the park early.
Melcher also suggested that because of construction on Highway 77, attendees try to leave earlier to make it on time.
Children who take part in the hunt will have their chance to pick up eggs containing a few pieces of candy including miniature Hershey’s bars and Tootsie Rolls.
For the younger children still in strollers, Melcher said their parents collect eggs for them and the Auxiliary has extra eggs for anyone who misses the hunt or doesn’t collect any eggs.
The Auxiliary filled all 4,000 eggs one Saturday morning in late March in assembly lines.
“It is socializing time for us to do the eggs, and we can sit and visit too,” Auxiliary member Loree Dienstbier said.
Melcher said the group does sometimes change up the candy for different years, but always chooses based on what fits in the eggs.
Following the hunt Saturday, there will also be cookies and refreshments available to guests and two Easter bunnies will be mingling with families and are available for photos.
During the year the American Legion groups collectively take part in the community in other ways including the Miracle Miles for Kids Walkathon in June, furnishing funeral lunches for veteran at the American Legion Post, scholarships and Legion baseball.
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