By Kimberly Gasuras

Members of the Bucyrus Church of God and others are working hard this week to fill 10,000 plastic eggs with candy and prize tickets for the Second Annual Easter Egg Hunt at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Crawford County Fairgrounds.

Lisa Merritt moved to the community nearly two years ago with her husband, Jason, when he took the position as pastor of the Bucyrus Church of God.

“We love Bucyrus and believe in this community,” Merritt said on Sunday. “We wanted to do something for the community and spread the love of Jesus.”

Merritt said that church members met to discuss events they could host in the community and decided an Easter Egg Hunt for children would be one of them.

“Last year, about 400 people showed up for our event. It was outside at the Lion’s Field Park then we gave out prizes at the church. It was standing room only,” Merritt said.

Merritt said the decision was made this year to create a larger egg hunt and have the prize and program portion of the event at the Youth Building at the Crawford County Fairgrounds.

“The hunt will be outside then everyone will come inside for the kids to redeem their tickets for prizes. We are making sure that every child will go home with something, from candy to bicycles,” Merritt said.

Last year, Merritt said there were 3,600 plastic eggs with 14 bikes being given away along with seven scooters.

“This year, we will have 10,000 eggs. Some will be empty, many will have candy in them and several will have tickets to be redeemed for prizes,” said Merritt. “We have 30 bicycles to give away this year and 11 scooters.”

There will be hunts for three age groups for children ages one to 12.

“The Easter Bunny will also be at the hunt,” said Merritt. “We are so excited to be able to do this for the community.”

Children should come to the Youth Building to register for the grand prizes at 2:30 p.m. and the hunt will begin promptly at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

Other local Easter Egg Hunts:

March 24

  • Bucyrus Area YMCA, 1655 E. Southern Ave., Bucyrus, from 10 a.m. to noon on March 24. Open to ages 12 and younger. Photos can be taken with the Easter Bunny. The YMCA is accepting candy donations; a drop box is located at the Y.
  • Easter Extravaganza and Egg Hunt, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 24 at Cooper’s Mill and Market, 1414 N. Sandusky Ave., Bucyrus. Features photos with the Eater Bunny and activities. Limited-edition strawberry and blueberry doughnuts and homemade Irish cream fudge will be available in the market.

March 25

  • Signature Healthcare of Galion, 2 to 3 p.m. March 25 at 935 Rosewood Ave., Galion. The two age groups are 6 to 12 and 2 to 5. Refreshments and a visit from the Easter Bunny will immediately follow the hunt. Fun-sized candy donations are being accepted through March 23 in the activities department at Signature Healthcare.
  • A Hi-Tech Easter Egg Hunt will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on March 25 at Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 Ohio 598, Crestline. Kids may bring a GPS or borrow one from the park. Using the GPS, participants will find hidden eggs and answer a nature-based question in the egg, and receive a small prize. For details, call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000.

March 31

  • The Galion Community Easter Egg Hunt at 1 p.m. on March 31 at the old middle school grounds, across from the Historic Brownella Cottage at South Union and West Walnut streets. The Easter Bunny will be present and the hunt is presented by Christ United Methodist Church. Donations of eggs, candy and goodie bag items may be dropped off by March 23 at the Galion-Crestline Chamber office, 138 Harding Way West.
  • VFW Post 2920 in Crestline will offer the Crestline Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. on March 31 at Kelly Park in Crestline. Features prize baskets. For kids 10 and younger and will feature prize baskets. The rain date is April 7.

April 1

  • Good Hope Lutheran Church, 9:30 a.m. April 1 at 129 W. Charles St., Bucyrus. Participants can come early for an Easter breakfast from 8 to 10:15 a.m. in the dining area of the church.