Feature photo: And they are off! Children ages 6-10 rush past the Easter bunny on their way to a grassy area dotted with colorful eggs at Old Settlers Park. Heart of Worship Egg Hunt organizers filled thousands of eggs that were scooped up in a matter of minutes.
Hundreds of children raced around Old Settlers Park in Lynnville on Saturday, Apr. 3, scooping up thousands of brightly-colored eggs at Heart of Worship’s annual Easter egg hunt. Organizers estimate 200 children attended the egg hunt, which was separated into two divisions this year. Attendees and organizers couldn’t have asked for a better afternoon of family fun – sunny skies, comfortable temperatures, and the joy expressed on the faces of excited children all contributed to the well-received community event.
In an attempt to allow for social distancing, the 2021 egg hunt was separated into two hunts according to childrens’ age. Children ages six to 10 kicked off the festivities at 1 p.m. on Saturday. After a short break that allowed organizers to “hide” more eggs filled with candy, trinkets, and money around Old Setts grounds, a 3 p.m. hunt was held for children ages five and younger.
Heart of Worship Egg Hunt coordinators streamlined their post-hunt gift distribution this year. Rather than gathering as a large group in Old Settlers’ pavilion after the hunt, guests signed up for prizes before the event kicked off, names were drawn while the children hunted eggs, and children retrieved their winning baskets or token gifts after they returned the empty plastic eggs to be used for next year’s event. This new format kept the crowd inside the Old Setts pavilion at a minimum, and guests were able to leave as soon as they wanted.
Maverick Davis snuggles next to the Easter bunny and smiles nicely for his mother, Kelly, behind the camera. His brother, MacGyver, doesn't share the same sentiments for the Easter bunny.
Heart of Worship partners with generous community businesses and sponsors to hold the event each year. Their support helps fund the candy inside the eggs and the many prizes distributed after the hunt. In addition to Heart of Worship volunteers, help came from high school students and the youth group from St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church.
During the hunt for younger kids, Landry Engbers tosses one of the many eggs he picked up into a bag held wide open by his dad, Matt Engbers.
Last year, Heart of Worship was unable to hold an Easter egg hunt due to the COVID shutdown of many events and activities. Instead of holding the hunt on Easter weekend, organizers came up with a modified plan and coordinated a drive-through event on June 13. While the efforts to serve the community through this fun event were greatly appreciated in 2020, everyone attending Saturday’s event was thrilled to embrace a sense of normalcy and hunt for eggs on Easter weekend.
