Niagara-on-the-Lake families hopped into Easter festivities Saturday with a lightning-fast egg hunt where hundreds of kids scooped up 10,000 chocolate eggs in minutes.
The Bunny Trail, hosted in partnership by the Niagara Nursery School and Childcare Centre and the NOTL Kinsmen Club, drew in parents and their children for a morning of egg hunts, touch-a-truck visits and petting zoos while raising funds for nursery school playground upgrades and classroom technology.
Admission fees and local business sponsorships aim to support the non-profit school’s $15,000 fundraising goal.
Geoff Quigley, attending with his wife and daughter, who explored a fire truck during the touch-a-truck session, said the event has become a staple for his family.
“It’s a really cool thing to bring the community together and explore what Niagara-on-the-Lake has offering,” Quigley said.
“Everyone can participate — even latecomers get eggs slipped into their baskets.”
Quigley commended the long-time annual event for its smooth organization.
“They’ve had decades to perfect this — it shows in the details,” he said.
New activities included a Lego station by RoboThink and a beading booth hosted by Penfield Academy.
“We’ve had second and third-generation families attend this event,” said Laura Townsend, Niagara Nursery School’s president.
“The funds directly support resources our teachers and students rely on daily — whether it’s outdoor climbers or iPads for lesson plans.”
The Kinsmen Club, which has been involved in the egg hunt for 55 years, handled logistics alongside nursery school volunteers.
“Ordering 10,000 eggs takes planning — and praying for good weather,” said Ken Slingerland, the club’s egg hunt chair.
Local businesses like the Fine Estates Team sponsored activity stations, with CEO Andrew Perrie calling youth support a priority.
“Seeing clients bring grandchildren from out of town proves how much this matters,” Perrie said.
Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa noted the turnout reflects NOTL’s intergenerational community spirit.
“When our kids were young, we volunteered here too, it’s awesome to see new families keeping that tradition alive,” Zalepa said.
