Volunteers, kids, and a bunny carry on the Easter Egg Hunt tradition

WAITSBURG-The Waitsburg annual Easter egg hunt has been a tradition for the Rick and Terry Ferguson family for over 40 years. The Fergusons, with the Penny Hazelbaker family and fellow Waitsburg Grange members, prepare and dye all the eggs before the event. On the day of the event, they arrive early to rope off the areas for each age group, scatter the dyed and chocolate eggs, and award prizes to the lucky ones who find golden eggs.

The Ferguson's daughter, Angela, has been a Grange member and egg hunt helper since she was little. She said she didn't get to hunt eggs at the event since her parents were in charge.

The late Skip Carpenter, his wife Sandy, and their daughter Lynne have donated eggs and supported the event since the beginning of time. Their donations are highly appreciated for this successful, fun event.

This year ninety dozen eggs were donated by the Carpenter family. The eggs and over 45 pounds of chocolate were scattered in the grass at Preston Park. Kids ages 0-2, 3-4, 5-7, and 8-10 gathered behind the rope, waiting for the Easter bunny to sound the whistle and start the hunt.

There have been lots of volunteers throughout the years, said Terry. The Easter bunny looks suspiciously familiar, and generations of egg hunters have had their pictures taken with him. He roams the park making sure every child has eggs in their baskets.

At one time, the start of the hunt was started by the sound of the town's siren.  I would love to bring that tradition back for the Easter egg hunt in 2024.