Soggy Saturday doesn't stop Easter egg hunts

Children charge off the starting line after being given the signal to start at the Mound City egg hunt on Saturday, April 19. Most of the outdoor egg hunts came off without a hitch despite threatening weather. Exception was Pleasanton, which organizers wisely moved inside.

Story and photos by Roger Sims, rsims@linncountyjournal.com

Saturday morning saw a break in the rain showers that moved through Linn County overnight. It was enough of a break so that the three of the four Easter egg hunts – La Cygne, Linn Valley and Mound City – were able to be conducted outside as planned.

Pleasanton city officials have been using a couple of "candy cannons" for their outdoors hunts. They brought them in on Saturday in the elementary school gym. Mayor Mathew Young does the countdown. Click on above picture to see video.

The La Cygne egg hunt, except for the grass, remained dry. The hunt, sponsored by the Ray of Hope community foundation, had all age groups start at once. Except for breaking down the plastic eggs to find presents and candy, the hunt was done in 10 minutes.

These three area residents got a photo with the Easter bunny before the La Cygne egg hunt began.

The Mound City event, sponsored by the city, began an hour later, and egg gatherers and their parents and grandparents felt sprinkles as they lined up for the starting signal. Again, the simultaneous start of all age groups meant the 2025 hunt was quickly in the books. However, as the hunt was wrapping up, the rain began to pick up.

This egg hunter at Mound City worked quickly to fill her basket.

Starting at the same time as Mound City, the city of Pleasanton sponsors opted to move its Easter egg hunt indoors. And it was a good thing, because the rain began to fall more steadily just minutes after that event started.

Pleasanton Councilmember Rochelle Schreckhise presented participants with bicycles after they won them by picking the eggs with winning tickets.

As has happened in the last few years, Pleasanton has staggered its starts for each age group with youngest egg hunters going first. Even though the hunt was moved to the Pleasanton Elementary School gym, organizers brought the now traditional propane-fired candy cannons inside as well.

This egg seeker worked quickly through the tall grass and dandelions at the La Cygne hunt.

Volunteers spread plastic eggs with prize tickets and larger candy on the gym floor. As soon as the cannons were loaded with candy, Mayor Mathew Young gave the countdown to firing the candy across the gym. That was the signal for children to rush to the floor and began collecting the sweets and eggs with tickets for prizes, which in some cases meant a new bicycle.

These brothers worked quickly to fill their baskets at Mound City.

This girl carefully considers what pieces of candy she will pick up at the Pleasanton egg hunt. Meanwhile, other children went for quantity over taste preference.

The egg hunt begins at La Cygne.

Photo gallery from the morning's events: