Easter Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza a success with over 400 in attendance

by Rachel Hunter

The First Annual Easter Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza, presented by the Gouverneur Recreation Department and the Riverview Park Association, was held on Saturday, April 1. It drew over 400 people to the Riverview Recreational Park and Eldon B. Conklin Gouverneur Community Center, NY-58, in Gouverneur.

Over 1,000 plastic eggs were filled with candy, temporary tattoos and small toys that were donated by generous community members and local businesses. The eggs were packed by Gouverneur Recreation Department Staff and other volunteers with the Riverview Park Association. These dedicated volunteers spent over an hour on Saturday morning to ensure that the treasured eggs were well spread out through the grounds of the Riverview Recreational Park in readiness for the event.

All North Country families were welcomed inside the Eldon B. Conklin Gouverneur Community Center during registration where they had the opportunity to enter the free drawing.

A big hit for the North Country families was the opportunity to get pictures taken with the Easter Bunny who hopped to the Eldon B. Conklin Gouverneur Community Center early on Saturday morning excited to wave hello, hug and high-five the local youths. All youths were distributed a treat thanks to the volunteer efforts by Gouverneur Recreation Director Casey and Stacy Canell. North Country families were also invited to enjoy hot chocolate, popcorn and more while inside the community center. At about 11:15 a.m., North Country families were encouraged to start making their way outside to the pavilions by the basketball courts. By 11:30 a.m., a long line form on the roadway from the pavilions to the athletic fields as North Country families were ready to get into the Easter Egg hunting action.

This was the first Easter Egg Hunt held in Gouverneur in two decades, and organizers were thrilled to bring back the event for all North Country families to enjoy while also having the opportunity to enjoy the grounds at Riverview Park.

The custom of the Easter egg hunt comes from Germany, and some suggest that its origins date back to the late 16th century, when the Protestant reformer Martin Luther organized egg hunts for his congregation. The men would hide the eggs for the women and children to find. This was a nod to the story of the resurrection, in which the empty tomb was discovered by women. The Easter Bunny would bring a basket of brightly painted eggs for all the children who had been good, and these would be hidden around the house and garden for the children to find. Modern Easter Egg Hunts often bring the community together to find the treasured candy- and toy-filled Easter eggs with the support and sponsorship from local community members and businesses alike. The First Annual Easter Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza did not disappoint with over 400 persons in attendance, including 196 youths who registered in advance of the hunt. More North Country families arrived and went directly to Riverview Recreational Park, eager to start the Easter Egg Hunt.

The sun broke through the clouds just in time for the First Annual Easter Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza after more than an inch of rain had fallen in the Gouverneur community in the previous 24 hours. Wearing spring coats and rain boots, North Country families arrived at the fields with big smiles on their faces, and excitement in their step as they held onto their bags firmly so as not to have the blustery winds blow their collection vessels away. At about 11:30 a.m., Gouverneur Recreation Director Casey Canell used a megaphone to give instructions to the North Country families. At 3-2-1-GO! North Country families started to run all over the grounds at Riverview Recreational Park in Gouverneur as they collected as many eggs as they could in the time allotted. The youngest set (2-4 years old) went to the lower softball field and the middle age group (5-7 years old) went to the upper softball field, and the oldest group (8-10 years old) went to the Coach Porter Volunteer Field and other areas around the playground and concession stand.

Local families encouraged their youths do whatever they could to run and get to the field first so they could harvest the most candy- and toy-filled eggs. Some parents even took the opportunity to lift their children over the park’s fences so that they could experience the joy of being the first on the field. Some children took the time to share the eggs that they found with the youngest set who hadn’t grasped the concept of the hunt. In complete glee, the children collected many colorful eggs, and were eager to open their newfound treasures and see what was inside.

Many North Country families then made their way to the pavilions by the basketball courts where the raffle drawing winners names were announced.

The Gouverneur Recreation Department and Riverview Park Association is grateful for all of the support shown at the First Annual Easter Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza and will focus on making the event bigger and better for the Second Annual Easter Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza in 2024. If you would like information on how you can help out with this event, please contact the Gouverneur Recreation Department at 315-287-0520.