Heather Latter
The Fort Frances Kiwanis Club is set for its second-annual “Egg-Stravaganza” on Scott Street this Saturday, with plenty of businesses participating in the Easter celebration.
“It’s expanded a little from last year,” said Kiwanian Toey Bone. “We’re pretty excited. Most of the businesses downtown are involved.”
She noted a total of 18 businesses downtown are giving out candy and upwards of 30 other businesses and groups have also stepped up in a variety of ways.
“A few gave cash donations toward the event,” Bone voiced, citing they are using some of the money for a BBQ.
While the “Egg-Stravaganza” event runs 11 a.m. -2 p.m., the BBQ will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in front of the Fort Frances Museum.
It will be $3 for a hotdog, chips, juice or coffee.
“We really want it to be a free event so everyone can take part,” she added about the “scavenger hunt” portion that is free.
This is what Kiwanis wants to do once in a while,” she continued. “We don’t want to always be just fundraising. We want to give back to the community, especially because Kiwanis is about kids.”
However, she indicated they will have a silver donation collection, which will either go towards next year’s Easter event or to one of the local programs that Kiwanis supports.
Bone noted the event will be similar to last year, with a few minor changes.
“We’re trying to streamline traffic a bit better,” she said, noting there were 352 kids who came out last year.
“So we’re going to have three starting spots this year—one in the parking lot between Pharmasave and From the Grind Up, one at the museum, and one at the parking lot near BDO and Celeste’s.”
Kids will go to one of these location to pick up their Easter baskets and map indicating the list of participating businesses to stop at.
Bone noted they also are encouraging kids to bring their own basket this year if they have one.
“We do have a number of baskets for those who don’t bring them, but we are encouraging people to bring their own so we don’t run out like last year,” she explained.
The club is asking that a non-perishable food item be donated to the food bank. Boxes will be available at the starting locations.
When the kids are done visiting the participating businesses, the passports will be collected and be put in to win the prizes.
They will have four to six prize baskets, as well as two bikes to win.
The prizes will be drawn at the end of the event, so people should make sure they write their phone numbers on their passports.
During the event, the Easter Bunny will be at Lidkea Optometry for youngsters to visit with.
“We will not have a photographer, so we are encouraging everyone to bring their own camera,” Bone voiced, citing most people have a phone with a camera.
“If it’s nice out, he might be outside,” she added.
There will also be two food vendors open on Scott Street and possibly some of the Market Thursday vendors.
If anyone is interested in setting up a booth, contact Bone at 276-2233.
Also the Bargain Shop will have a “Spin to Win” game to raise money for Easter Seals.
“It’s a really fun event for the kids,” Bone enthused, adding they’re hoping for favourable weather this year to help get everyone in the Easter spirit.
“And it’s just really nice for Kiwanis to be able to hold an event that isn’t a fundraiser and is just community spirit-based,” she said.
