The Easter Bunny hopped around and posed for photos with the children. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

The lawns of Meskwaki schools dazzled and sparkled last Saturday as people of all ages flocked towards the more than 6,000 eggs laying in the grass. Four divisions spread from the northern tip of the high school to the baseball diamond, equally dividing the eggs between the fast-paced kids and their leisurely lumbering counterparts.

The high winds and low temperatures were not a hindrance to the large crowd that gathered at the field’s edge and stared excitedly out at the shine of the eggs. The Easter Bunny wandered about after the prizes were all gathered, taking pictures and giving out hugs to children and adults alike.

“I loved seeing the smiles on all the kid’s faces,” the Easter Bunny said.

The festivities commenced in the morning with a fun run on the Meskwaki Pedestrian Trail. Participants signed up and received t-shirts courtesy of the Meskwaki Health Clinic. Everyone involved in the run was also entered to win door prizes. The fun run was around a mile and a half.

This year’s event was put on by the Meskwaki Health Clinic, with Kathy Shuckahosee being the main organizer behind it. Other people who helped make the egg hunt possible were Danelle Wabaunasee and Crystal Whitebreast from the clinic. The Meskwaki Egg Hunt has been a local tradition for several years and hopefully will be for many more.

Hunters between ages 7-15 and 0-6 rounded out the four age divisions. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

Easter comes along just once a year, and with it comes a plethora of Egg Hunts. Some have already taken place, but the lion’s share are yet to come. Easter Eve, Saturday, April 8, seems to be the most popular date for a hunt. Whether you want to try and hit more than one hunt this year or just stick to your home turf, here are a few Tama County locations where the Easter Bunny will be.

-The 1st Presbyterian Church of Toledo Egg hunt on Saturday April 8, at 1 p.m. on the Tama County Courthouse North Lawn, for ages 2-12.

-The Sunny Hill Easter Egg Hunt is on Friday April 7, at 2 p.m.

-Garwin Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday April 8, at 9 a.m., with a free breakfast served from 9-10:30 a.m., sponsored by the Garwin EMS and the Garwin Enrichment League.

-The Gladbrook Young Women Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8, at 10 a.m. at the Gladbrook City Park, up to fourth grade, rain date will be April 15.

Enthusiastic egg hunters dashed to the candy filled eggs in the 16-49 division at the Meskwaki Settlement last Saturday. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

-The Birkwood Village Easter Egg Hunt is on Sunday April 9, at 2 p.m., 308 Second Ave., Toledo.

In each age group, a golden winner egg was hidden, and those who found the egg were given an additional prize. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER