Children will run through parks and fields with baskets in search of thousands of brightly colored Easter eggs this weekend on the North Olympic Peninsula during free public egg hunts.
The hunt that traditionally draws the largest number of participants is the annual KONP Easter Egg Hunt.
“We usually have hundreds,” said sales representative Kim Hughes, who is one of the KONP employees who has volunteered for the event.
“We’re happy to do it,” she said.
The 39th annual hunt will be at the Clallam County Fairgrounds at 1608 W. 16th St. on Saturday, offering 1,700 plastic eggs filled with toys, stickers and candy.
Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. The hunt will start at 9 a.m.
Children 8 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Participants are required to bring their own baskets.
The Easter egg hunt will be followed by a drawing for toys for those with registration slips.
Registration slips for the toy drawing are available only at 15 participating businesses in Port Angeles and Sequim. Slips will not be available at the hunt.
All are welcome to hunt Easter eggs but only those with registration slips will be eligible for the toy drawing.
“Everyone with a slip gets a toy” up to the 150 to 200 available, Hughes said.
Participating businesses have flyers in their stores. To get a list, call KONP at 360-457-1450.
In addition to these businesses, the event has three major sponsors, Hughes said. They are Olympic Game Farm, Peninsula Bottling and Olympic Mattress Direct.
Oldest hunt in Port Townsend
The oldest continuous Easter egg hunt on the Peninsula is the Port Townsend Elks Lodge hunt Sunday.
This is its 87th year. The hunt is one of the oldest in the state, according to lodge members.
It will begin at 8 a.m. Sunday at Chetzemoka Park on Jackson Street at Blaine Street in Port Townsend. Four age groups will hunt for eggs.
Organizers are coloring 1,500 eggs and preparing more than 100 prize baskets. Money eggs will be scattered, also.
For more information, phone the lodge at 360-385-0317.
Forks community hunt
In Forks, 1,940 eggs will be hidden in the baseball fields at Tillicum Park for the annual community Easter egg hunt, set for 1 p.m. Saturday.
The hunt, located at 236 N. Blackberry Ave., generally draws about 150 participants, said Robin Schostak, co-chairwoman of the Forks Elks Lodge event with Susie Brandelius and Jennifer Lane.
Children will look for 1,440 colored eggs, 400 candy-filled plastic eggs and 100 plastic eggs containing gift certificates to Sully’s Drive-In.
Each child also will have a chance to win a drawing after the hunt. The group will have three bicycles, 12 chocolate bunny rabbits and 12 stuffed Easter animals to give away, Schostak said.
Children will be separated into age groups of 3 and younger, 4 to 8 years old and 9 to 12 years old.
The eggs were donated by Forks Outfitters.
The next morning, the Forks Elk Lodge will host an Easter breakfast at the lodge at 941 Merchants Road.
The breakfast will be from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday.
The cost will be $8 for ages 12 to 60, $6 for those 4 to 11 and seniors older than 60, while children 3 and younger eat free.
The breakfast buffet will offer ham, sausage, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, orange juice and coffee.
The buffet is sponsored by Concerned Citizens and the Forks Emblem Club.
Pumpkin patch hunt
In Sequim, an egg hunt and other entertainment are planned at the Pumpkin Patch at 260045 U.S. Highway 101 on Saturday.
Beginning at 9 a.m. will be games, face painting, photo opportunities, a bouncy house, a Sequim Fire Department fire engine, pony rides and a raffle for Easter baskets.
The Easter egg hunt will begin at 11 a.m.
For more information, phone 360-461-0940.
Sequim Elks hunt
Also at 11 a.m. Saturday will be the Sequim Elks’ Easter egg hunt at the lodge at 143 Port Williams Road.
This event is for children ages 0 to 11.
Children will be split into four age groups.
Joyce Easter hunt
The public is invited to Crescent School’s Kitchens Family Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. Saturday.
About 2,200 candy-filled eggs, real colored eggs, prizes and baskets will be featured at the hunt, located at 50350 state Highway 112.
Children 10 and younger can attend the event.
Those interested are advised to show up early and be dressed for any weather condition.
Several other free, public Easter egg hunts are planned on the Peninsula this weekend:
Hungry Bear Cafe
BEAVER — Hungry Bear Cafe & Motel’s 17th annual Easter egg hunt will occur at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Raffle prizes for children and adults will be awarded after the hunt at the cafe at 205860 U.S. Highway 101.
There will be a separate area for youth ages 0 to 3.
Youngsters 4 to 7 years old will be given a one-minute head-start, with 8- to 12-year-olds following after them.
For more information, phone 360-327-3225.
Brinnon egg hunt
BRINNON — The public is invited to the Brinnon Booster Club Easter egg hunt at 1 p.m. Sunday at Dosewallips State Park.
Those interested are asked to bring a Discover Pass or $10 for entry into the park, located at 306996 U.S. Highway 101.
Chimacum: Food, face painting
CHIMACUM — Lutheran Church of the Redeemer will host a community Easter party and egg hunt at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The event at the church at 45 Redeemer Way will include food, face painting, crafts, storytime and egg hunts in three age groups.
For more information, phone 360-385-6977.
Clallam Bay event
CLALLAM BAY — The annual Clallam Bay Easter egg hunt will occur at 11 a.m. Saturday at Clallam Bay School.
The event will feature dyed eggs, candy-filled eggs and prizes at the school grounds at 16933 state Highway 112.
Children ages 0 to 12 can participate in the hunt.
“Everyone will receive at least one prize,” organizers said.
For more information, phone John Burdick at 360-963-2438 or Linda Dillard at 360-640-0566.
Quilcene egg hunt
QUILCENE — Quilcene Fire-Rescue will host its third annual Easter egg hunt from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.
The hunt will be at Station 21 Fire Hall at 70 Herbert St.
For more information, phone 360-765-3333.
Port Angeles farm
PORT ANGELES — Duneach Farm will host Easter on the Farm from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
The event at the farm at 256782 U.S. Highway 101 is free. A thank-you/barn fund box will collect contributions to support the farm animals.
An Easter egg hunt with prizes is planned from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
From noon to 4 p.m., Eli the camel, Peppermint the donkey and Cash the Welsh pony will be available for rides. Baby lambs and chicks also will be available.
Sodas, carrots and assorted critter snacks will be available for purchase for 50 cents each.
For more information, contact Becky Northaven at 360-477-0022 or northaven.herding@gmail.com.
Other Easter egg hunts are offered for fees.
They are:
Pool eggstravaganza
PORT ANGELES — The public is invited to William Shore Memorial Pool’s 10th annual Eggstravaganza from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Participants can win prizes by hunting for eggs in the pool, located at 225 E. Fifth St.
The cost is $5.25 per person and $10.50 for non-Port Angeles School District members.
For more information, phone 360-417-9767 or email jschultz@william shorepool.org.
Hunt by horseback
PORT ANGELES — Freedom Farm will host a horseback Easter egg hunt from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday.
The suggested donation is $10 per rider or $20 for a family at the farm at 493 Spring Road off Old Olympic Highway.
The fundraiser will help the Freedom Farm Horsemanship Team earn money to compete in rated horse shows off the North Olympic Peninsula.
Children weighing less than 90 pounds will have the opportunity to hunt Easter eggs while being led around on horseback.
Eggs also will be available to hunt on the ground for those choosing not to ride.
For more information, phone Mary Gallagher at 360-460-6410.
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News Assistant Alex Hoffman compiled this report while Executive Editor Leah Leach reported a few more details. Hoffman can be reached at news@peninsuladaily news.com. Leach can be reached at 360-417-3530 or at lleach@ peninsuladailynews.com.
