Soon after the arrival of the Easter Bunny on an antique fire engine, groups of children stormed onto Alumni Field on Sunday for the city’s annual Easter Egg Hunt and Bonnet Contest.
Sponsored by the Pottsville Recreation Commission, about 4,500 plastic eggs were scattered across the football field, Mary Quirk, commission director, said. About 400 children attend the event each year.
“That’s what the organization is about, the youth of the city,” Quirk said.
The eggs were filled with candy, prizes or cash. Three hundred eggs had $1 bills in them.
There were also coupons for prizes and for Rita’s Italian Ice, Dairy Queen and Friendly’s Family Restaurant. There was also free pizza, a drink and a chocolate bunny for each child and a flower for mothers.
Children were divided into four age groups for the hunt: 2 years and younger; 3 to 4; 5 to 6; and 7 to 8.
There were three categories for the bonnet contest: funniest, most original and prettiest. Each winner received $10.
Gracie-Anne Holley, 2, of Pottsville, won funniest in the contest with a carrot bonnet.
Her grandmother, Susan Holley, Pottsville, said both the egg hunt and bonnet contest were a tradition with her daughters and now her granddaughter.
“We always do the bonnet contest,” she said. “It adds a little more fun to it.”
Kayla Becker, Pottsville, brought her two children. She was helping her son, Silus, 1, at his first egg hunt.
“I have two kids and this is fun for them,” Becker said.
Crystal Jones, Pottsville, said the annual Easter egg hunt has also become a tradition for her family. She was there with her son, Da-Shawn, 4.
“I think it’s great for the kids,” she said. “It’s nice that they have this because there isn’t always a lot for them to do.”
Additional sponsors for the event included: Housing Authority of Pottsville, Pottsville Lions Club, DeAngelo’s Pizza, Betty Wagner Flowers-Designs by Edie, Dairy Queen, Rita’s Italian Ice, Something Sweet Candies and Friendly’s Family Restaurant.