Ravens are 2024 Reinfurt Division champs

By Melanie Lekocevic

Capital Region Independent Media

RAVENA — The annual Easter Egg Hunt has evolved into one of the community’s most beloved traditions.

Held outside Ravena VFW Post 9594 next to Mosher Park, the event each year draws hundreds of youngsters and their families. Now in its 73rd year, some of the participants of earlier years are now bringing their own children to the egg hunt to celebrate the holiday, community-style.

Organizers and volunteers have been hard at work stuffing plastic eggs with goodies for the children.

“This year we are stuffing over 4,000 eggs and hoping to continue this 73rd traditional event with great joy for our community,” said Christine Snyder, co-chairwoman of the Easter Committee.

Each year, Scouts, students, VFW and Auxiliary members, and other volunteers step up to the plate to stuff the eggs; this year’s “stuffing event” took place March 19 at the VFW Post.

The Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday, March 30, promptly at 11 a.m. at the VFW Post. In the event of inclement weather, the festivities will relocate to the RCS High School gymnasium.

In addition to hunting for eggs, there will be many prizes and gift baskets awarded to the children. Raffle tickets are free and are distributed to each child as they register for the event. Last year, 115 items were raffled off, including bicycles, skateboards and other big-ticket items, in addition to dozens of themed gift baskets.

Each child was also given a small American flag as a gift.

Egg hunters will be divided into different age groups. Colorful plastic eggs filled with candy and chocolates will be spread out over the field and once the kids are given the all-clear, they will rush out into the field to gather as many Easter eggs as they can.

Then the field will be replenished for the next round of egg hunters.

A couple of years ago, organizers added a new feature — a special “sensory area” designated for children up to age 18 with sensory sensitivities so they can hunt in comfort.

After all the groups have had a chance to collect eggs and the goodies inside, the plastic eggs will be recycled to be used next year.

Then it will be time for a visit with the Easter bunny for photos and then back outside for the big raffle. All prizes are donated by local businesses and individuals.

Each year, hundreds of children attend the Easter Egg Hunt and thousands of candy-filled eggs are collected.

The hunt was canceled for a couple of years due to restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic — though a drive-thru event was held one year to help families celebrate the holiday — and another year was moved indoors due to the weather, but was back in full force in 2023.

This year’s Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, March 30, at 11 a.m., at the VFW Post 9594, located at 13 Whitbeck St. in the village. In the event of inclement weather, the egg hunt will be moved indoors to the high school gym.