The novel coronavirus and social-distancing measures to limit its spread mean normal Easter festivities will be on hold this year, but residents in Crossfield are still being invited to take part in a different kind of Easter egg hunt.
“Kids really look forward to an Easter egg hunt, and not knowing what that’s going to look like this year, how could we do the hunt in a different way?” said Jennifer McDonald, marketing co-ordinator for land and housing with Dream.
According to McDonald, the community of Vista Crossing is replacing the traditional hunt with a decorating contest that is open to families throughout the town.
“With all things considered right now, gathering people in one area isn’t the best idea, so we went back and did some brainstorming of what can we do to still spread some community cheer?” she said.
Families are invited to visit vistacrossing.ca/events/join-the-egg-hunt, where they can find and print off an Easter egg to decorate and display.
“It’s literally just a blank egg and you can decorate it in any way that you want,” McDonald said. “If you don’t want to use our own page, feel free draw your own egg. At this point, I would even accept a bunny or your own Easter theme – whatever Easter means to you.”
After the egg is decorated, families are encouraged to place them in a window so neighbours can see them.
A contest is accompanying the activity, McDonald added. To enter, a picture of the decorated eggs should be posted by April 5 either to the Vista Crossing Facebook page or shared on Instagram with #vistacrossing and tagging @vistacrossing.
“For every egg that’s entered – one person per egg – you have a chance to win one of our four Easter goodie baskets,” she said.
The baskets will be filled with Easter treats and activities to keep kids occupied while they stay home during the coronavirus pandemic. McDonald said winners will be drawn and notified by April 11.
“I wouldn’t say we have an age limit on it,” she said. “[We’re] definitely more interested and excited to see what the kids have to display, but that said, I know there’s also a lot of seniors that are stuck at home as well, and if they feel like colouring an egg and spreading some cheer, we would love to see that, too.”
McDonald also encourages families to get out of the house by going on an new kind of Easter egg hunt – going for a walk together and searching for the decorated eggs on display to see how many can be found.
“It just gives you something to look for when you’re out for a walk,” she said. “Obviously, keep your distance if you’re finding other people out there walking around, but I think while we have the opportunity to still get outside and the weather is starting to look absolutely amazing, fresh air and some sunshine brings a smile to everyone’s face.”
McDonald said she’d love to see other Crossfield neighbourhoods, and even households in Airdrie and Calgary, get involved.
“The more cheer we can spread right now, and just some positivity around this uncertain time, the more the better,” she said.
If the hunt is successful, McDonald said it may be incorporated into future Easter festivities even after traditional Easter egg hunts resume.
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Ben Sherick, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @BenSherick
