By TORY DENIS
[email protected]
CLAREMONT — Children and families gathered on Saturday in towns on both sides of the Connecticut River Valley for community Easter egg hunts, games, cook-outs and other activities in celebration of the season.
In Claremont, children were invited to Arrowhead Recreation Area for the annual Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by Claremont Parks and Recreation Department. This year, organizers had approximately 5,500 eggs filled with treats, which they set out on the slope behind Arrowhead. All participating children were allowed to collect 10 eggs each, and one golden egg for those lucky enough to find one.
The center also put out egg recycling bins by the lodge so children could return the plastic eggs for reuse after they had opened them. The Easter Bunny also made an appearance at Arrowhead.
In Springfield, several churches and community organizations, with support of local businesses, got together to host a free Easter Fest that included games, a bounce house, face painting, a free barbecue with hot dogs and hamburgers, and more activities.
Volunteers offered food and games for children, along with prizes and Easter egg hunts for people of all ages. The day included six different Easter egg hunts so people of similar ages could compete together.
Sponsoring churches included Calvary Baptist Church, the Church of Christ, the First Congregational Church UCC, North Springfield Baptist Church, Precision Valley Baptist Church, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and the United Methodist Church. More than 6,000 plastic eggs were filled by volunteers with the churches, and an estimated 400 children took part this year.
Information was also available to visitors about area churches and support groups. Local donors included Final Electric, Springfield GMC, Spurr’s Repair Service, Willow Farm, Lawrence and Wheeler Insurance, Kelley’s Auto Sales and Service, Springfield Cinema Center, Hannafords, Shaws, HB Energy, Cota and Cota, Orient Restaurant, and the Springfield Co-Op, along with others.
The Rockingham Recreation Easter Egg Hunt also took place on Saturday, with close to 200 children coming out to find the golden egg.
The Rockingham Recreation Department put out more than 2,000 eggs for all the children to find.
Preston (no last name provided) was the winner for first grade and younger, and James was the winner in the second- to fourth-grade group, all according to Ryan Stoodley, Recreation Department director for the town of Rockingham.
Each won an Easter basket and four movies passes to the Bellows Falls Opera House movie theater.
Several other local towns also held Easter events for area children.
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