Blog: Easter Tradition on Evelyn

The Sunday before Easter, parents and kids from the 800 block of Evelyn gather at Elnora’s to decorate Easter eggs. It’s an afternoon of astounding creativity. Current political figures, as well as food, animals, storybook characters and hobbies come alive on white, brown and colored eggs with the help of Fimo, paint, feathers, felt, letters, googly eyes, glitter and glue guns. The results can be museum-quality creations with a chuckle (see pictures).

A week later, the tradition continues with a hunt in Elnora’s back yard at 11 a.m. sharp. For 30 minutes the garden in the back of the house is alive with shrieks of joy as eggs are discovered. Each child has a “name egg” somewhere; a map of egg locations eliminates the intense disappointment of not finding a name egg.

Then everyone enjoys a lunch of salmon, vegetables, fresh fruit, salads and side dishes made by the hostess and parents. Homemade Easter chocolates are dessert. Then the organized games begin – pin the tail on the bunny, bubble wrap walk, jelly bean races, sock mania, and Blind Man’s Bluff. The finale is a raw egg toss between pairs of adults and kids. The last pair to break their raw egg in a mess is the winner.

Every child leaves with a gift bag containing a stuffed Easter animal and a homemade chocolate egg.

This tradition has been going strong for 10 years. The original little ones, who are now college students, still join in for the decorating and the hunt if they are home on break. One youngster who is now 13 first attended as a very shy girl, who looked tortured as she participated in the games.

After three years, she showed up and with great zest, said, “Elnora, WHEN can we start the games?”