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The search for the egg is on

by Valley Press staff
| April 30, 2014 12:37 PM

SANDERS COUNTY – As Easter Sunday came upon the county, kids filled with anticipation awaited the moment they would be able to scour the lawns of local parks in search of the greatest prize of the day – Easter eggs.

In Paradise, a warm and sunny Easter Sunday brought with it the continuance of a community tradition that has filled the hill overlooking Paradise with happy children for decades.

As has been the case for as long as many can remember, the field outside of Paradise School was filled with young children hunting for Easter eggs.

The kids, numbering over 50 thoroughly searched the school grounds, as they managed to find nearly all of the 125 hidden eggs in around ten minutes.

Broken into groups based on age, the groups of children were assigned different areas of the hillside and those who found the most eggs in each group were awarded prizes, including candy.

Additionally, many of the eggs had quarters inside them, adding to the growing haul of many happy young kids.

The organizers, the same group that has been directing and planning the event for the last 5 to 6 years, noted that the responsibility for the event depends on those with children and grandchildren to pass on the tradition over the years..

Though the kids had quite a time hunting for eggs, it was not long before the majority of the group turned their attention towards the school playground, leaving their parents to wait in line for prizes, while they enjoyed the warm afternoon running about.

In Plains, the Plains Lions Club once again hosted their annual Easter egg hunt at Fred Young Park.

Overall, there were 150 eggs placed in each of the four lanes, which were divided by age group. With a whopping 600 eggs to fight over, the kids had plenty of opportunity to collect as many eggs as they could shove into their baskets.

The kids were split into four groups: ages 1- 2, ages 3- 4, ages 5- 6, and ages 7- 8. Competition flared as the kids lined up at the beginning of the lane.

Once Ron Warren gave the signal, the kids scrambled down their marked area in search of the coveted black prize egg. Only one per lane, the prize egg would signify the winner of the Easter baskets that lined the picnic table in the park.

On this particular day, the girls came out on top and Jenalee VonHeeder, Jersey VonHeeder, Oceanrose Hyde and Maddy Blood were awarded the baskets.

The other kids turned in their eggs in exchange for a large 3 Musketeers candy bar. No one left empty handed and you could tell by the smiles all around, that the day was a success.