SOUTH ABINGTON TWP. — Members of the South Abington Lions Club and the Chinchilla Hose Co. spent hours scattering thousands of pieces of candy all over the field of South Abington Park for March 31. It was a good thing, too, because their annual egg hunt attracted over 400 children this year. Lions Club treasurer Roger Wallace said this was the largest turnout ever, adding about 150 children usually attend the event.

“This is getting bigger and better every year,” he said. “We’ve watched it grow, especially this year where it grows incrementally.”

Children lined up across the field according to age group. While waiting to fill their bags with candy, they were each given a raffle ticket for prizes. Once the egg hunt started, children and their parents raced to the field to get the candy that was up for grabs.

“We’ve been coming here since I was a kid,” said West Abington Twp. resident Corey Sheakoski, who now takes his 5-year-old son Colin and 3-year-old son Nathan to the event. “It’s a great egg hunt and a great thing for the community.”

Nine-year-old Emma Adamsky, of Clarks Summit, enjoyed the egg hunt as she put candy into her “Horton Hears A Who” bag.

“It was fun and I liked it,” she said.

This was a first time at this egg hunt for 8-year-old Bianca Perez, of Scranton.

“I like that there’s candy,” she said.

The Easter Bunny was also on the field for children to meet and have their photo taken with.

After they finished filling their bags and baskets, participants turned their attention to the park’s concession stand where raffle ticket numbers were posted on a board. Children, wose raffles were drawn, received chocolate bunnies or prizes. The final drawing was for one boy and one girl to each receive a bicycle. Five-year-old Elliott McDonough, of Dunmore, won a boy’s bicycle, around which his 7-year-old brother Colin and his 4-year-old brother Declan crowded.

“I feel excited,” Elliot said about winning the bike.

Three-year-old Kateri Laktash, of Dickson City, was also excited to won the girl’s bicycle.

“It’s good,” she said about the bike.

The South Abington Lions Club and Chinchilla Hose Co. will continue this Easter tradition for many years to come.

“Now, of course, we are looking for ways to make it better,” said Wallace.

Children and their parents line up behind a rope as they anticipate grabbing candy off the field.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_AbLions1.jpg.optimal.jpgChildren and their parents line up behind a rope as they anticipate grabbing candy off the field. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Colin Sheakoski, 5, and his brother Nathan, 3, both of West Abington Twp., wait for the Easter egg hunt to begin.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_AbLions2.jpg.optimal.jpgColin Sheakoski, 5, and his brother Nathan, 3, both of West Abington Twp., wait for the Easter egg hunt to begin. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Friends of Summit Baptist Bible Church with their children are, from left, Stephen Page, holding daughter Penelope, 10 months; Jennifer Page, Cecilia Sayre, holding daughter Annette, 1; Hannah Merkh, holding son Jack, 2; Stephen Merkh, holding daughter Ellena, 3; Ashley Paschke, holding daughter Eliza, 6 months; and Zach Paschke.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_AbLions3.jpg.optimal.jpgFriends of Summit Baptist Bible Church with their children are, from left, Stephen Page, holding daughter Penelope, 10 months; Jennifer Page, Cecilia Sayre, holding daughter Annette, 1; Hannah Merkh, holding son Jack, 2; Stephen Merkh, holding daughter Ellena, 3; Ashley Paschke, holding daughter Eliza, 6 months; and Zach Paschke. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Children and parents enter the field to scoop Easter candy off the ground.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_AbLions4.jpg.optimal.jpgChildren and parents enter the field to scoop Easter candy off the ground. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Bianca Perez, 8, of Scranton, meets the Easter Bunny at the egg hunt.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_AbLions5.jpg.optimal.jpgBianca Perez, 8, of Scranton, meets the Easter Bunny at the egg hunt. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Kateri Laktash, 3, left, of Dickson City, and Elliott McDonough, 5, of Dunmore, each won a new bicycle from a special raffle. At center are Elliott’s brothers Declan, 4, and Colin, 7.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_AbLions6.jpg.optimal.jpgKateri Laktash, 3, left, of Dickson City, and Elliott McDonough, 5, of Dunmore, each won a new bicycle from a special raffle. At center are Elliott’s brothers Declan, 4, and Colin, 7. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Maria Colarossi, 3, left, stands in front of the Easter Bunny with her mom Marlena holding Maria’s 2-year-old sister Angelina.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_AbLions8.jpg.optimal.jpgMaria Colarossi, 3, left, stands in front of the Easter Bunny with her mom Marlena holding Maria’s 2-year-old sister Angelina. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
Candy filled South Abington Park

By Ben Freda

For Abington Journal

Reach the Abington Journal newsroom at 570-587-1148 or by email at news@theabingtonjournal.com.