WESTFIELD – Peter Cottontail will be very busy this weekend as the city prepares for the 20th Annual Easter Egg Hunt.
Mayor Daniel M. Knapik, in conjunction with Shaker Farms Country Club, has planned the egg hunt, which will be held on Saturday, April 12 at Shaker Farms Country Club. Line up for the egg hunt will begin at 11 a.m. and the egg hunt will begin promptly at 11:15 a.m. The Easter Bunny will arrive at 11:30. In case of rain, the egg hunt will be held on Sunday, April 13, at 11 a.m.
Students in the National Technical Honor Society at Westfield Vocational Technical High School helped the Easter Bunny prepare for the big event last week by stuffing hundreds of brightly colored plastic eggs with assorted candy.
Society Advisor Matt Gomes said there are 17 members of the Technical Honor Society at the school. To be eligible, students must maintain a certain grade point average, among other requirements.
“They need to display consistent behaviors separate from their achievements and their application must include recommendations from both their academic and shop teachers,” said Gomes.
“Juniors and seniors are eligible and there is a volunteer requirement,” Gomes added.
WVTHS student Antonio Rivera helped stuff eggs last week and said volunteering was something he enjoyed.
“The community does so much for us, we want to give back – the students here are all about helping others,” Rivera said of the honor society.
Rivera said the egg hunt is an event that brings joy to children, which has a special place in his heart.
“We liked when people did these things for us when we were younger, so it’s nice to be ale to do this,” he said.
This event draws hundreds of children annually and has become a strong tradition in Westfield. There are separate egg hunt areas, divided by age groups, several games, and arts and crafts are available after the egg hunt. Parents and children may also enjoy hot chocolate and juice refreshments provided by Mt. Moriah Lodge of Westfield.
The Egg Hunt is made possible through the generosity of many local businesses, including Westfield Gas and Electric, and the Kiwanis Club of Westfield and the employees of Westfield City Hall.