Vehicles were lined up before noon Friday at the entrance to Petrolia’s Greenwood Park for the start of this year’s Easter “Eggstravaganza.”
It was the 34th running of the event organized by the Petrolia and District Lions Club to bring some Easter joy to local families.
Normally, it’s an in-person family event at the service club’s hall and pavilion in the park next to the arena in Petrolia, but the pandemic has turned it into a drive-thru for the past two years.
More than 200 children went home last year with candy and treats, “and this year we’re set for 300,” said event chairperson Cheryl Schleihauf.
Vehicles made their way by tables set up through the arena parking lot, where 20 members of the service club and eight members of its LEO youth group dressed up as Easter characters handed out treats.
Families were greeted at the final stop by Jeff Classen dressed as the Easter Bunny.
Schleihauf said the club decided to stick with a drive-thru this year but aims to return to an in-person event in 2023.
“It’s something to give back to the community,” she said, adding the event fits with the service club’s focus on programs serving young people.
The drive-thru was scheduled to run for two hours and those attending were invited to bring donations for local food banks.
The Easter event was initially a project of the former Lioness Club and continued when that group combined with the Lions Club about two decades ago, Schleihauf said.
Members of the LEO club also handed out information about the Lions and the youth group.
“We’re always looking for new members,” Schleihauf said.
The club currently has 57 members, with about 16 members in its LEO youth group.
Schleihauf said the club moved to online meetings when the pandemic began but has since resumed meeting in person, although members are still able to attend remotely if they wish.
A $60,000 grant from the Trillium Foundation allowed the club to upgrade its hall and install audio-visual equipment in 2020.
Schleihauf said the service club already has a busy schedule set this year for its hall and food trailer that can be booked for community events.
“We’re busy every weekend May, June, July and August,” she said.