Duane Hicks
The local Kiwanis Club and The Shops on Scott (BIA) are gearing up for the fourth-annual “Egg-Stravaganza” event in downtown Fort Frances.
The event, which sees children come downtown, get a map of participating businesses, and then go to each one to collect Easter candy, is slated for Saturday, April 15 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Diane Maxey, the lead organizer this year, said the club is looking forward to the event “very much.”
“It’s something we enjoy doing for the kids–that’s what it’s all about,” she remarked.
Maxey noted “Egg-Stravaganza” has proven immensely popular in the past, drawing close to 450 youngsters last year.
Maxey and other club members are in the process of contacting downtown businesses to get them on board.
Businesses are being asked to hand out treats, have an egg hunt or scavenger hunt within their store, or make a donation to the event.
If you’re a business that would like to participate, contact Maxey at 274-7309.
The event will be similar to last year, with the main difference being there will be just one spot to go to for kids to get their map and start at–the museum courtyard.
There won’t be multiple starting points like in the past, noted Maxey.
Children are asked to bring along their own baskets or bags for treats, and all participants will have their name entered in a draw for prizes donated by local businesses.
The kids then can proceed through the downtown area–getting their maps stamped at participating businesses and gathering treats.
The prize draws will take place at 1 p.m.
As well, the Easter Bunny once again will be at Lidkea Optometry from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. to have pictures taken with the kids (bring your own cameras).
Maxey stressed while parents and children don’t necessarily have to come at the 11 a.m. start time, the event definitely will end at 1 p.m.
In the past, some people have come to the event at 12:45 p.m. and expected it to continue until they made their rounds, delaying the prize draws.
That’s not going to happen, Maxey said.
The event is free for children, but the club is asking that a non-perishable food item be donated to the local Salvation Army food bank.
Collection boxes will be set up at the museum.
In related news, Maxey said the Kiwanis Club won’t be holding its annual Good Friday breakfast this year due to unforeseen circumstances.
But there will be other Easter-related events to mark on your calendar.
For instance, the Fort Frances Choraliers will perform an Easter cantata, this year entitled “Champion of Love,” on Sunday, April 23 at 3 p.m. at the New Beginnings Fellowship here.
A bake sale will be held in conjunction with it.
An encore performance will be held Sunday, April 30 at 3 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in International Falls.
The concerts will be fundraisers for a new sound system for the Choralier.
Free-will offerings will be accepted.
