The Tillsonburg Kinsmen Easter Egg Hunt returns to Tillsonburg’s Memorial Park on Saturday, April 8, 11 am in front of the Kinsmen bandshell.
Last year’s event, the first after a two-year pandemic hiatus, was an enormous success which co-ordinator Cedric Tomico estimated at 1,500-2,000 children and adults in attendance.
This year the Kinsmen Club plans to build on that success.
“It was pretty awesome last year and this year we’re going for more,” said Tomico. “Every year we’re going to ramp it up. More ideas, more sponsorships, just reaching out to more people.”
In 2022, they introduced heavy equipment displays – a fire truck from Tillsonburg Fire and Rescue Services, OPP vehicles, tractors, and a crane from East Elgin Concrete.
“All of those people will be joining us on April 8, and then we have a few new additions we’re hoping to bring online. Through the people that are sponsoring, we know that some have cool equipment that they can bring. I think the kids love seeing that kind of stuff.”
Tomico said the Kinsmen have a very vibrant club in town, and a volunteer base that wants to get onboard with it.
“It’s a great bunch of guys, and when you have a year of great success, and start thinking of ideas to ramp it up, guys want to be part of it. We have a group of guys that have an enormous network – our reach, with 50 members and 30 of them very active, I think that’s a big part of it as well.”
This year, the Kinsmen plan to scatter about 180 kg of foil-wrapped chocolate eggs in designated areas for the children to collect on April 8.
“It’s about the same as last year, maybe 10 more boxes,” said Tomico. “We knew last year, being the first since COVID, it was going to be a big year.”
It’s a free event for the community, he noted.
“We want it to be available to everyone. We’re the Kinsmen Club, we’re serving the communities greatest needs, that’s what we’re all about.”
The Tillsonburg Kinettes will be operating a food trailer on site as a fundraiser for the club’s community projects.
Donations of non-perishable food items will be gratefully accepted by the Kinsmen, to be donated to the Helping Hand Food Bank from the Easter Egg Hunt.