PETROLIA – There were lots of eggs, but they didn’t last long as an eager crowd of smiling youngsters frantically raced around the Greenwood Pavilion to gather them all.
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“The smiles of the kids. . . that’s why we do it,” said Dianne Piggott, chairperson of Friday’s 36th Petrolia and District Lions Easter Egg Hunt.
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The event, which typically draws about 300 kids eight and under, started at 12:30 pm, with sections of the park set aside for different age groups. The youngest group took part in a hunt in the service club’s hall at the pavilion.
Plastic eggs set out for the hunt contained slips of paper indicating prizes kids could collect after the event. A large golden egg with a special prize also was up for grabs.
Before and after the hunts, there was a photo booth with the Easter Bunny and games for youngsters in the pavilion. Lions members were selling hotdogs and a drink for $2 each.
There was no admission fee, but participants were encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations for the local food bank.
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Another hunt is set for Saturday at Sarnia’s Easter in the Park, a decades-long tradition at Canatara Park. It runs 9 am to noon near the Children’s Animal Farm.
“We plan for a couple thousand people,” said Rebecca Warren, the city’s community services co-ordinator.
The egg hunt will be at 10 am, with sections of the park set aside for different ages – four and under, five to seven, and eight-plus – and kids with accessibility needs, she said.
“Each child can exchange eggs for a candy, and it is peanut and gluten-free,” Warren said.
The Easter Bunny will also be there and there will be Easter-themed crafts for kids to make in the park or take home, she said.
There will also be face-painting, balloon twisting and inflatables. The animal farm will be open and the Canatara train will run, weather permitting. But the egg hunt goes ahead rain or shine, Warren said. Juggler Circus Jonathan will perform at 9:30 and 11:30 am
Admission is also free with food prepared by the Seaway Kiwanis available for purchase.
“We’re excited to see everyone out Saturday,” Warren said. “This is our first signature event for the season.”
With files from Paul Morden
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