For the 7th year, the annual It's a Spring Thing 10,000 Easter Egg Hunt is hoping to bring Barrie folks out to 49 Ferris Lane for some egg hunting fun.
The tradition has become such a staple in the active Ferris Lane Community Church (FLCC) community calendar that Pastor Mark Coulter assures it will go ahead as planned regardless of the weather.
“I’m hearing that the weather won’t be too bad for Saturday, so we’ll have to see whether we are able to stick to the plan of having it in our big soccer field or move it indoors,” said Coulter. “Either way, bring the kids and a basket because it’s on no matter what.”
One of the most anticipated Easter events in the city for families, the FLCC Spring Thing sees 10,000 plastic eggs filled with two chocolate eggs each and placed throughout the large field in the back of the church parking lot.
At the sound of the whistle, the kids run off and fill their baskets as best they can.
And there is no worry about those little ones not getting their share as there are different age group sections for them to hunt in. Categories are divided by ages 0-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12.
“Last year we had about 300 people out having a blast,” said Coulter. “It’s a lot of hard work, but we see how much the families enjoy it and how the kids react when the Easter Bunny shows up. The smiles and laughter make any amount of work worth it.”
It is hard work indeed as 20,000 chocolate eggs need to be stuffed into 10,000 colourful plastic eggs. Outreach director Krista Halbert organizes the yearly event and assures all that while the Easter Bunny may or may not hide the eggs in the field, he certainly doesn’t stuff the eggs.
“A couple of weeks ago, we had 41 people show up on a Wednesday evening to stuff 270 lbs worth of chocolate into 10,000 eggs,” said Halbert. “I’d say it was an hour and half of work but honestly everybody was having fun chatting and listening to music that it flew by quickly. We have so many community events throughout the year and this is kind of the kick-off for us.”
Tomorrow's event runs from 10:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and is free for those who want to hunt. All that’s required is your own basket and enthusiasm.
There will be face-painting, special prize eggs, pictures with the Easter Bunny and $1 barbecued hot dogs.
Should the weather be uncooperative, the hunt will be moved indoors.
Find more details here.
