The Bradford City Fire Department will hold its annual Easter egg hunt on April 15.
The event is being held a week later than normal, on the day before Easter rather than the weekend before Easter, because of a firefighter training session, explained Lt. Cathy Mealy, event organizer.
It will be held at 11 a.m. at Callahan Park, rain or shine. In the event of bad weather, it will take place in the ice rink at the park.
“We prepare for about 300 kids,” said Mealy, noting that any leftover candy — if there is any — will be donated to places such as churches or group homes.
The department hides empty eggs for children to find, then participants turn their eggs in at the end. “Prize eggs” have stickers on them, and children will be able to turn them in for a prize. Each child will get a bag of candy at the end to take home, too.
“There no candy in the eggs for safety reasons,” said Mealy, who gets concerned that a child could come across a lost egg months after the hunt and eat candy that’s been in the rain.
“The age groups are 2 to 4, 5 to 7 and 8 to 10,” Mealy said.
However, she noted that the groups are flexible and meant to keep the hunts fair and safe. If a 1-year-old can pick up eggs, he or she is welcome to join.
“If your kid’s big enough to participate, they can participate,” she said.
There will be a grand prize awarded in each of the three age groups, as well as five second place awards and 15 third place awards.
The department’s union, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 655, donates the prizes.
It’s due to the efforts of many groups and individuals in the community that the hunt is possible.
“It’s a family thing,” said Mealy, noting that even off-duty and retired firefighters volunteer their time for the hunt. “It’s something we look forward to every year.”
Mealy said area businesses are “wonderful,” helping to sponsor the event, too. Open Arms Community Church will be supporting the event, with church volunteers helping to collect candy and making a prize basket.
Also, the city’s parks department always lends a hand. She mentioned parks employee Tom Shay, who they talk to each year during the hunt planning process.
“We’ve been working very closely with the parks guys,” she said. “They’re a great asset — they help us out a lot.
“Because the community helps out, it works so well,” said Mealy.
The fire department will work on preparations such as filling candy bags next week.
In contrast to the time it takes to prepare the Easter egg hunt, the excited hunters complete their mission quickly.
On the day of the event, “It takes about an hour to set up,” she said. The hunt itself — “it’s over in what feels like two minutes.”
Mealy explained, “They are very serious about their egg hunting.”
She joked that if an adult needs help finding something, they just need to tell a child it is an Easter egg hunt and they’ll find it. “They’re experts — they put adults to shame.”
On a more serious note, Mealy feels the hunt is important because it gives children a chance to celebrate the holiday who might not get the chance otherwise.
“For some kids, this is the only Easter stuff they’re going to do,” she said.
