Heather Latter
The Fort Frances Kiwanis Club is calling this year’s third-annual “Egg-Stravaganza” on Scott Street the best yet.
“It was incredible—it was the best year yet,” enthused Kiwanian Toey Bone about Saturday’s event held in conjunction with “The Shops on Scott” (BIA).
The group did not have an official count as of Monday morning. But after talking to businesses and doing a rough count of their maps, they figured close to 400 children took part this year.
“So we surpassed our numbers from last year,” said Bone, noting the inaugural event in 2014 saw about 350 children participate while more than 360 turned out last year.
She noted children were invited to register at one of three locations—the parking lot between Pharmasave and From the Grind Up, at the Fort Frances Museum, and at the parking lot near BDO and Shopper’s Drug Mart—to pick up their map featuring more than 20 businesses to stop in to receive Easter treats.
The maps were stamped at each location and, when completed, were entered in a draw to win one of two bikes donated by Flint House.
The winners were Peyton Sisco and Brayden Neurinski.
Also during their quest, children visited the Easter Bunny at Lidkea Optometry, where parents were invited to take their picture.
Other businesses, meanwhile, had trails to follow through the store or little games for children to play.
As well, the Kiwanis Club offered a barbecued lunch near the old Robin’s Donuts building.
For $3, people could purchase a hotdog, chips, and a water or coffee.
“The weather was chilly, but it was a very nice day for everyone to be out in the sunshine,” Bone said, adding she was thrilled by the number of volunteers the club had for the event.
“We had John Beaton’s ‘First Responders’ give us a hand,” she noted.
“They were mature and hard-working,” Bone lauded. “Anything we asked them to do, they did it without question.
“They were a great group to have involved with this.
“We also had our Kiwanis members and a few community members came out to help,” added Bone.
“So our volunteer aspect was great because with the starting spots spread out, when we needed to check on businesses or if a location was out of maps or something, the extra hands made it a lot easier.”
Bone said the volunteers checked to make sure the participating businesses had enough candy on hand.
She noted some did run out of candy at times, and added the Kiwanis Club was thankful for the other businesses that had donated extra candy or money for them to purchase more treats.
Those businesses included some not in the downtown core and others on Scott Street that were not open Saturday.
Bone said the club received plenty of positive feedback from the event.
“The only negative thing was that one person thought the event finished at 2 p.m., when it actually only ran until 1 p.m. this year,” she recalled.
“But we were still downtown so they were still able to participate.”
Bone said the Kiwanis Club was planning to meet to discuss any changes it might make for next year to have it a continued success.
For instance, it already has been suggested having the event start in one location, like it did its inaugural year, but having several tables for people to register to keep the line moving quickly.
“Quite a few people walked by the barbecue and we’d say we have hotdogs and they’d say their starting point was at Pharmasave and when we’re finished, we don’t want to have to come back,” Bone remarked.
“So we’re thinking one spot to start and end might be better.”
She added if the barbecue is going to be in the old Robin’s parking lot again next year, they’d also like to get some tables so families could sit down and eat.
“And if the market square is done, that is ideally where we would like it next year,” Bone noted, though thanking Guy Donaldson and Kelly Spicer for letting the group utilize that corner.
“We also want to encourage other vendors or clubs to get involved,” Bone stressed.
“[The] ‘Chem-Free Grad’ was selling cupcakes and I think they did very well.
“And it’s great to have more involvement to make it a real community event,” she reasoned, noting the Kiwanis Club enjoyed hosting the “Egg-Stravaganza.”
“It’s a really fun event for the kids,” Bone enthused, adding she hopes it continues to grow and be a success for many years to come.
“We want to give back to the community, especially because Kiwanis is about kids,” she said.
