The search is on! Here’s a rundown of Easter egg hunts happening around Centre County

Easter is almost here, so get your baskets out to start collecting eggs.

Eggs became associated with Easter in the Middle Ages as Christians were forbidden from eating them during the period of Lent, a Christian holiday representing the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert. Eggs were considered a treat to medieval peasants after 40 days without them, creating an association with Easter and springtime for centuries to come.

We’ve compiled a list of Easter egg hunts and events for all ages happening around Centre County this spring:

• Centre Region Parks and Recreation is doing an “egg my yard” event where staff and the Easter Bunny hide eggs around your yard from 8 to 10 p.m. April 14 or 15. The event is available for residents of State College Borough and the townships of College, Ferguson, Harris and Patton. There is a $35 fee for 50 hidden eggs, which varies with the number of eggs hidden. There is also an option to donate an “egging” to a family in need.
• The Bellefonte Community Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Talleyrand Park April 16. The event starts at 1 p.m., with an egg hunt for children 12 and younger beginning at 2 p.m. There will be more than 15,000 Easter eggs hidden, along with games, prizes and visits from the Easter Bunny. There is no fee or registration required for this event.
• Gregg Township Fire Department is hosting an egg hunt at the township’s carnival grounds. The egg hunt is free and open to the public. Activities start at 11 a.m. April 2.
• State College Evangelical Free Church and State College Alliance Church are coming together to host two egg hunts at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. April 16. There will be more than 10,000 eggs hidden, as well as games and crafts.
• Family Life of Penns Valley is hosting an egg hunt for children up to grade 5 at 11 a.m. April 16. Activities are free for all, with registration available online or in person the day of the event.
• The Potter Township Parks and Recreation Board will be hosting its egg hunt from 10 a.m. to noon April 9. Two thousand eggs will be hidden for children ages nine and younger to find, with special prizes for each age group. The event will be held at Tri-Municipal Park.
• A community brunch and egg hunt in State College will be held April 9 starting at 9:30 a.m., with a 10:30 a.m. start for the egg hunt. There will also be a local photographer and several local vendor booths.
• Millheim Pool is hosting an egg hunt for children 12 and younger April 16. The Easter Bunny will make a special appearance at 12:30 p.m. before the hunt begins at 1 p.m.
• Calvary Church is hosting a free pancake breakfast along with an egg hunt April 9. Breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m., and children will be split into age groups for the 10 a.m. egg hunt.
• Centre Region Parks and Recreation will be hosting a teen flashlight egg hunt at 8 p.m. April 13 at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center. The event is open for ages 12 to 14 and costs $5 for residents. Registration can be found online. Be sure to bring your own flashlight.
• State College YMCA is hosting an underwater egg hunt for ages 12 and younger. The event will start at 1 p.m. April 10. Children need to bring their own swimsuits and goggles and will swim in heats based on age. Registration is required and can be found online.
• Skills and Friends Social Club and Houserville House of Hope are hosting an egg hunt for children and adults with disabilities April 9. The event will start at 3 p.m. at Houserville United Methodist Church.
• Brookmere Winery is hosting an adult Easter egg hunt at 1 p.m. April 16 in the vineyard. Tickets are $15 and attendees must be at least 21 years old. More information and tickets can be found online.
• David’s Community Bible Church is hosting a free egg hunt for ages 12 and under starting at 1 p.m. April 16.
• Eagle Iron Works and Curtain Village will host an egg roll and Easter bonnet parade from 2 to 4 p.m. April 9. All ages are welcome to enjoy prizes, activities and a food truck.
• The Port Matilda American Legion will host a community egg hunt starting at 1 p.m. April 2. Registration will start at 11 a.m., and children will receive free lunch. The hunt will be split up by age group with special prizes for each group.
• Pine Glenn Fire Co. is hosting an egg hunt at 2 p.m. April 10 at the Pinn Glen Fire Station.

This story was originally published March 28, 2022 at 6:00 AM.