Spring retreated a few steps over the weekend, but Tuesday’s annual Community Education Easter egg hunt, held in the new gym, put the season back in motion.
With pent-up energy abound, just like spring itself, kids took less than 30 seconds to gather the hundreds of plastic eggs scattered around the new gym floor.
“This was a really good turnout and one of the faster groups we’ve had,” said community education coordinator Rich Kern. “They’re excited.”
Zones marked off the areas for five age groups up to sixth grade. Kids waited as Kern counted down the start. Each kid got to bag up to eight eggs.
Finding an egg with a golden ticket earned larger prizes. Every kid who wanted took home a gift bucket with smaller prizes.
As usual, the Easter bunny was on hand to greet kids and pose for photos.
The egg was a symbol of the rebirth of the earth in pre-Christian celebrations of spring. The Easter egg itself was defined by early Christians as an Easter symbol.
Today, Easter egg hunts are a tradition in many towns in Southern Minnesota and around the country as well.
Kindergartener Zoey Hunt and her first-grade sister Hazel accessorized for the occasion.
Kindergartener Jordie Seely stoops for an egg.
The egg hunt was over in less than a minute.
Kids turn in their eggs at the table in search of a golden ticket.
Kids at the table.
Student helpers were senior Cassandra Connor (front) and Olivia Shouler (back).
Finding eggs that held golden tickets for big prizes were, from L-R, Kohen Rude (second grade), Gabriel Anderson (fifth grade), Oaklyn Van Eck (kindergarten), Scarlett Wengert (preschool), Ryker Reinhardt (fourth grade) and Jordan Wolf (kindergarten).
Community Education coordinator Rich Kern adjusts the Easter Bunny’s bib.
First grader Paisley Schultz and her sister Chloe, a preschooler, pose with the Easter bunny.
Kaynlee Rude sorts through her collection. She will be a kindergartener next fall.
Every kid got to take home a prize bucket.