Story and photos by Julia Myers
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Telecommunications
The sun was shining and the kids were smiling last weekend
at the annual Midway Baptist Church Easter egg hunt. Families from the community headed to the
city park on Saturday to join in the festivities.
Families arrived at the park at 3 p.m., with excited
children, colorful baskets in hand, and ready to hunt for eggs. The kids ranged in age from 2 to 12.
The 60-degree-weather was a welcome change from the cold
temperatures during the rest of March, one of the coldest on record in the
area. The blue sky and green lawn
sprinkled with colorful plastic eggs set the perfect scene for the
festivities. Several parents, who had
participated that morning in Lexington’s Run the Bluegrass half marathon, made
it just in time to see their little ones set out on the hunt.
Andrea Ball helps a young egg hunter. |
Children’s minister Andrea Ball, right, who oversees programs for children from age 3 to fifth grade, said the egg hunt is a long-standing tradition that predates her time at the church by several years. She said the former children’s minister remembers attending the egg hunt with her daughters more than 11 years ago.
Ball, who has been involved with the church since 2007, said
she was pleased with how the hunt turned out. “We could not have asked for a
more beautiful afternoon,” she said. “We
had a great turnout by our church members and visitors.” About 30 children participated in the hunt.
After all the coin-filled eggs were collected, kids were
able to exchange them for a fun toy or treat of their choice. Each plastic coin was worth one prize, and
each participant could collect up to 20 coins.
The egg hunters camped out on the lawn after their baskets
were filled to count their coins and sort their treasures. One participant found his basket a little
lighter after his family’s puppy, Charlie, decided he would take a coin or two
for himself. His mom quickly came to his
rescue, recovering the coin from the yellow Labrador retriever’s mouth, and all
was forgiven.
Ball said the event was enjoyable for kids and adults alike.
“I love the sense of anticipation as the children wait for the egg hunt to
begin and the smiles on their faces when they leave with their baskets full of
goodies,” she said. “The event is for
the children, but it's a real treat for the adults to witness their excitement
and the joy this tradition brings them.”
Members of the church arrived an hour early to help get
tables set up, prizes unwrapped, and eggs hidden. “Blake Jones, Luke Jones, Justin Ball, and
Connor Akers contributed by hiding eggs and staffing the prize tables,” said
Ball. “And Sherry Baylif-Webster was a
big help with cleanup after the hunt.”
Ball said they have learned from experience over the years,
and quickly discovered that chocolate candy does in fact melt in the eggs on a
hot afternoon, creating a mess for parents.
The children's ministry team has the preparation for the
annual egg hunt down to a science, Ball said, but they could always use extra
hands to set up. She said church members
could help next year by arriving a little bit early to hide the eggs.
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