Hunting for eggs? Bring your flashlight, boots
The Easter bunny is not going to let little things like rain, snow or darkness stand in its way when hiding eggs for Northern Fox Valley children.
If it rains, wear a coat. If it snows, wear boots and if it is dark, bring a flashlight.
That's what the bunny told employees of the Dundee Township Park District and Gilberts this year when they helped him planned their hunts. But that's not new to children who have run through the park district's annual flashlight hunt, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 26 at Liberty Elementary School.
Participants, from 8-12 years old, will color the hardboiled eggs before they are hidden on school grounds.
The children know that flashlights and fresh batteries are just as important as speed to make their way through the dashing crowd. The quickest ones will find the most plastic eggs filled with prizes. And the keenest one will find the golden egg fill with a season pass to Dolphin Cove Aquatic Center, which is owned by the park district.
The hunt will be held outside the Carpentersville school at Miller and Huntley roads; hopefully, the boots and the coats won't be necessary, but the flashlights will be.
"We always have a good crowd for the flashlight hunt," said Helen Shumate, the district's marketing director. "This is a novel event for older kids."
A traditional hunt, for children 2-7 years of age, will be the following day at Randall Oaks Park, along Randall Road. It will start at 10 a.m. when different age groups of children, start searching for the plastic eggs on the tree-lined hills. When they collect as many as they can, families will have a chance to meet with the Easter bunny and walk through the petting zoo.
The fee for the flashlight hunt is $10 for residents and $12 for non-residents. The fee for the hunt on the following day is $7 for residents and $10 for non-township residents.
"We ask families for both hunts to arrive early because in past years we have had a couple of hundred children hunt for eggs. We want everyone to be able to register on time," Shumate said.
To see if coats and boots are needed, details can be obtained from the park district by calling (847) 428-7131.
On April 3, the village of Gilberts will have its annual Easter egg hunt at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge home, 325 Raymond St. It will start at 10:30 a.m. for children 13 years of age and younger.
"It will be held rain or shine," said Karen Danca, an employee of Gilberts.
This hunt, which is free, is sponsored by the Elgin Area YMCA, members of the Eagles, and the village. The Easter bunny will also be on hand to meet families. For details call the village at (847) 428-2861.