Determination was the keyword for some local churches and organizations Saturday.
With rain falling outside, they chose to move Easter egg hunts indoors so children could collect eggs and receive prizes. They also got to visit with the Easter bunny and enjoy refreshments and other activities.
Perhaps most important of all, the kids were able to celebrate the real meaning of the holiday, which is to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus.
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First Baptist Church in Seymour was among those that decided the activities must go on.
Two egg hunts were conducted in the fellowship hall, and children and their families went to other rooms for cookies and drinks and taking pictures with the Easter bunny.
“Even with the rain outside, we are still going to have a great time this morning, and we have lots of stuff in store for you,” Mike Lyon, a pastor at the church, told kids gathered in the sanctuary before the egg hunts began.
First, a video was shown to illustrate the meaning of Easter.
“There’s one reason why we come here and we do this, and we want to make sure you hear this morning why we do this Easter thing,” Lyon said before the video played.
“Beyond all of the amazing, great candy that we get in our little Easter eggs and beyond the Easter bunny, there is another reason why we celebrate Easter,” he said. “I want you all to know that Jesus loves you. He loves each and everybody in here, and he loves to see you happy.”
Five special prizes were handed out before it was time to split into two different age groups to walk down to the fellowship hall, where plastic eggs were spread out on the floor with candy inside. Upon finding a gold egg, children could turn them in for a prize.
Viviana Wilson, 8, of Seymour was among the kids to find a gold egg. When she turned it in, she received a light blue plush bunny.
“I tried to look for gold, and I just put it in my basket,” she said of her strategy upon going through the doors of the fellowship hall.
She didn’t mind that the egg hunt was moved indoors. She wound up collecting around 30 plastic eggs.
“I think you can see the eggs more easily, so you can get more inside because there’s a smaller amount of space. I like it,” Viviana said. “I think it was really fun, and I got to get candy.”
She attended the event with her mom, Sarah Wilson, grandmother, Mary Clare Speckner, and sisters, Gigi, 6, and Chessie, 2.
“I love seeing the excitement on their faces of finding the eggs,” Sarah said of watching her children. “I remember going to Easter egg hunts as a child and how fun it was.”
Speckner said she had a good time at the event, too.
“I like myself that it’s in a church because of course, that’s the real meaning of Easter is the religious aspect, so I think that’s good,” she said. “The older kids got to be in the sanctuary and talk a little bit more about the meaning of Easter. That was great.”
Viviana said she was looking forward to spending time with her family Easter Sunday.
“I like the huge dinner we have,” she said. “My mom and some of my other family members are bringing some food.”
Jessica Avila of Seymour attended the Easter egg hunt with her children, Christopher Olvera, 6, and Bella Olvera, 5.
The kids were happy to collect nearly 30 eggs apiece and take home a lot of candy.
“It’s just nice that they do this at churches so it keeps them safe,” Avila said. “I enjoyed it. It means a lot to us.”
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department also decided to go ahead and hold its annual Easter egg hunt Saturday at Hickory Hill Golf Club.
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Rescheduled Easter egg hunts
6 p.m. today: Easter egg hunt on the lawn at the Jackson County Courthouse, 111 S. Main St., Brownstown. Open to ages 12 and under. There will be six different age groups, and the Easter bunny is set to make an appearance. Registration for the free event will be at 5:30 p.m. at nearby Heritage Park, 121 E. Walnut St. Hosted by Brownstown/Ewing Main Street. Information: facebook.com/btownewingmain.
10 a.m. Saturday: Easter egg hunt at Gaiser Park along South Walnut Street in Seymour. Open to ages 12 and under. There will be lots of eggs with candy or coupons from local eateries inside. There also will be grand prize eggs for skateboards, kids balance bikes and more. Receive a Shields Park pool pass with every 10 recycled eggs. Bring your own basket. The Easter bunny arrives at 9:30 a.m. for free photo opportunities. Hosted by The Buzz 1390/99.3 WZZB, 92.7 Nash Icon WXKU and the Seymour Parks and Recreation Department. Information: 812-522-6420.
1 p.m. May 4: Easter egg hunt with 20,000-plus eggs and gospel sing at Gaiser Park. The public is welcome, and the Easter egg hunt is open to children and adults of all ages. Sponsored by New Life Assembly of God. Information: Pastor Steve Hyer at 812-522-8273.
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