Despite temperatures in the 30s and blustery winds, families bundled up and and headed to East Berlin Community Park yesterday for a an annual, festive, Easter egg hunt. It drew a large crowd from across Adams County.
The annual event, which has been happening for at least 10 years, welcomed children of all ages for a morning of fun, community fellowship and springtime celebration. The sun was shining, and the chilly temperatures did not keep families away, as parents and children alike embraced the cold to enjoy the festivities together.
Jeff King said he’s been helping his daughter, organizer Tori Berwager, for several years. “It’s a generational opportunity to volunteer,” he excitedly explained, “My granddaughter wears the Easter bunny suit. My daughter, Tori, teaches at Bermudian. It’s a real community, family event. Her students help to stuff the eggs too.”
Berwager’s Church, Morning Hour Chapel provided 10,000 eggs stuffed with candy, bracelets, stickers, and other goodies. Other churches and organizations donated stuffed eggs, bringing the total to over 12,000. The volunteers prepared several months in advance. They enjoy seeing the smiling children and many come back to help each year.
The Easter egg hunts were divided into age groups to give children a fair chance to participate. Separate hunts were held for ages 0 to 2, 3 to 5, 6 to 8 and 9 to 12 years old, allowing youngsters to spread out across the park in search of the brightly colored eggs.
Organizers estimated that approximately 700 people attended throughout the morning. Music added to the festive atmosphere.
The event was made possible through the help of about 50 volunteers, who assisted with setup, egg distribution, activities and coordination to ensure the day ran smoothly.
In addition to the egg hunts, families were also able to enjoy a variety of free activities and games. Organizers distributed approximately 500 free lunches, provided more than 2,000 free crafts for children, and awarded 40 prizes throughout the event. Lunch included grilled hot dogs, chips, and juice or water.
Organizers expressed gratitude to the many local sponsors who helped make the event possible, including Why Not Advertising, Morning Hour Chapel, Bermudian Church, Zwingli UCC, Borough of East Berlin, Adams Electric Cooperative, East Berlin Beverage, and New Life Assembly.
