Traditional Easter egg hunts are off this year, but alternatives are planned in Centre County
Gov. Tom Wolf’s statewide stay-at-home order doesn’t make exceptions for herds of kids hunting plastic eggs, but Centre County residents are still making plans to celebrate Easter in alternative ways.
The Centre Region Parks and Recreation Authority canceled its 59th Easter Egg Hunt due to the coronavirus pandemic. With thousands of eggs filled with candy and tickets for prize baskets, CRPR Director Pamela Salokangas said the authority will donate its supplies to the YMCA school lunch program, which currently has 24 locations in Centre and Clinton counties.
“We are able to get rid of probably 1,000 Easter eggs in one batch (Wednesday) with the free lunch service,” Salokangas said. “That’s good news.”
Rather than cancel egg hunts altogether, some local churches and community organizations have planned events that meet social distance guidelines.
The State College Alliance Church will be conducting a photo scavenger hunt until noon April 14 to complete the hunt, “Finding Easter, not just Easter Eggs.”
“We hope this will give your family some fun, Christ-focused activities to do together right there in your home, yard and neighborhood during the week leading up to Easter,” the church wrote on Facebook.
To participate, seven clues with Bible readings and photo prompts can be downloaded online. Photos can be posted online with the hashtag #scfindingeaster. After the event is over, State College Alliance Church will pick several families to receive gift cards to local businesses offering takeout or delivery services.
Organizers of the annual Bellefonte Easter Egg Hunt posted a letter from the Easter Bunny on Facebook, saying that the community event has been canceled due to COVID-19. To ensure kids get their eggs, organizers are working to plan a basket delivery service for those who register.
Updates will be posted on the Bellefonte Easter Egg Hunt Facebook page.
