Egg-citement ahead at annual hunt

SANDPOINT — In five minutes — or less — brightly colored, candy-filled Easter eggs will disappear from Lakeview Park.

As soon as the Selkirk Fire crews sound their sirens, hundreds of youngsters charge onto the field, park tennis courts, and the various nooks and crannies where eggs are hidden.

Seeing the excitement and watching the fun is exactly why the Lions hold the event every year. And, while the event always seems to end in the blink of an eye, club president Janice Rader said giving the Easter Bunny a helping hand is one of club members' favorite activities.

"It's just so much fun watching the kids get excited about hunting eggs," Rader said. "It's such an amazing event and we love seeing the community turn out and support each other."

This year's Easter egg hunt is today at Lakeview Park, located at Ella and Ontario in Sandpoint. The fun starts promptly at 9 a.m. with the hunt typically lasting five or six minutes at the most.

Rader recommended egg hunters arrive early to get to their designated age group on time. There will be several Lion members (bunny helpers) available to help them with directions to their designated area.

This year, there are six age groups: crawlers (1-2 years), located by the train car; 3 years old, located by the Sandpoint Lions Club building; 4-5 years old, located by the playground equipment; 6-7, located along the edge of the park along Ontario Street; 8-9 years old, behind the tennis courts; 10 and up, at the arboretum.

There will be two grand prizes, with the winning ticket, for each egg group in undisclosed eggs. Those who find a winning grand prize egg should contact a Lions Club member and will be able to select from a bicycle, scooter or large stuffed animal for their prize.

There will be thousands of plastic eggs — filled with candy — hidden for all egg hunters, from crawlers to youths ages 10 and up. Rader estimated that the club has filled 6,000 eggs to ensure each youngster can find some.

Lions members suggest five eggs each as a rough goal for each hunter and encourage the really good hunters to share with those who might not be so lucky, Rader said.

The Lions Club is recycling the plastic eggs this year and members ask that youngsters and their parents place them in plastic tubs located near each of the egg-hunting areas.

Also at the egg hunt, Kaniksu Dental will be on hand to distribute toothbrushes to local youngsters, and local Girl Scouts will be present with two booths to sell cookies. Hot coffee and cocoa will be available, thanks to Ponderay Starbucks.

In addition, the Easter Bunny will be there to cheer on Easter egg hunters and to take photos with local youngsters. Also on hand will be a surprise visit by the Lions' new mascot, Melvin.

And, she noted, the annual hunt would not be the same without Selkirk Fire, Rescue & EMS crews sounding their siren to set the hunt in motion.

"It's definitely much louder than an air horn," she added. "We owe them a huge thank you for being a part of the hunt every year."

There is no cost to participate in the egg hunt; it is part of the Sandpoint Lions community service programs. Parents are invited to come and watch the fun but, but are asked not to help the hunters except in the youngest age group.

Rader said the club has been holding the Easter egg hunt for 70 years, and members enjoy seeing people who once took part in the egg hunt as a youth bringing their children or grandchildren to the event.

"We've had more than four generations gathered for the hunt in the past," she said.