Egg Hunt Sends Kids, Adults And Grandparents Scrambling In Newtown

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The organizers of the annual Newtown Egg Hunt didn’t know what to expect after being forced to move Saturday’s hunt to Sunday due to the weather.

Their concerns, however, were short-lived as hundreds poured onto the grounds of the Goodnoe Elementary School for the longtime Newtown tradition, which played out under bright blue skies with temperatures hovering around 50 degrees.

The event - organized by the Newtown Rotary Club - began with the addition of a new hunt this year for the blind and visually impaired.

Members of the Montgomery County Bomb Squad made the trip from Norristown with their giant chirping eggs, which they strategically scattered across one part of the field.

A participant in the blind and visually impaired hunt zeros in on the chirping egg.

A guide dog came in handy during the egg hunt for the blind and visually impaired.

Members of the Montgomery County Bomb Squad Unit with hunt organizers and participants in the blind and visually impaired egg hunt.

It didn’t take long for the handful of blind and visually impaired adults and children to zero in on the sounds of the beeping eggs as they quickly collected all the eggs.

Rotary Club President Mick Petrucci praised the members of the bomb squad for making the trek to Newtown from Norristown. "They made everyone feel welcome and a part of the hunt," he said, noting that most of the participants had never done an Easter egg hunt before. "We are glad we were able to provide them with that experience and we thank the bomb squad for making it possible."

Attention soon turned to the big field behind the school where 8,000 eggs added splashes of color to the expensive green space.

Surrounding the fields were hundreds of kids, clutching tightly to their Easter baskets while plotting out their egg collection strategies as they peered across the field stretched out in front of them.

Petrucci joined veteran egg hunt organizer Paul Salvatore in announcing the start of each age group hunt by sounding a siren.

The hunts began innocently enough with the youngest given an assist by their parents as they quickly collected the brightly cołored eggs from the grass. But as the hunts transitioned to the older age group categories and then to the adults and grandparents, the competitive spirit took on a whole different look.

For the final two hunts of the morning, the Rotarians invited grandparents and adults to join the fun, but not before offering some sound advice.

“There's a reason you go last," Salvatore told the parents and grandparents. "No pushing or shoving. It's not a hockey match. It's an Easter egg hunt. And remember, your children and grandchildren are watching,” he advised just seconds before a mad dash of grandparents and then adults swept across the field.

As the last egg disappeared from the field, Petrucci breathed a sigh of relief.

“I'm pleasantly surprised by the attendance today, especially given that the egg hunt had to be moved from Saturday to Sunday," he said. "We took a gamble on a Sunday and it paid off. The attendance was fantastic. I couldn't be more pleased with the amount of volunteers and the turnout from the public."

From the youngest egg hunter to the oldest, Petrucci said it was “a fun, family event. There were a couple of muddy knees and some wet shoes, but what I saw the most were smiles. Lots and lots of smiles. And that’s what it was all about.”

Salvatore gave special thanks to the Council Rock School District for allowing the Rotary Club to use the field on Sunday. He also thanked Action Karate for entertaining the crowds before the start of the hunt. "I think we had as many people, if not more, and everyone was enthusiastic as always," he said.

Salvatore added that the hunt wouldn't have happened without the support of The First National Bank of Newtown and Sam's Club, which donated the eggs and the candy; ServPro; and the hunt's many door prize sponsors.

It was a mad dash across the grass as adults and grandparents were invited to participate in the hunt.

Students from Action Karate demonstrate their moves before the start of the hunt.

Veteran Jack Erickson is greeted by the Easter Bunny after taking part in the hunt.

Hunt organizers Paul Salvatore and Mick Petrucci of the Newtown Rotary Club with the Easter Bunny.