Skip to content

Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt

Photo by Shari Harris
Event organizers Carla Elliott, left, and Amber Ramsey pose with the Easter Bunny at the egg hunt.

By Gracelyn Wesley and Shari Harris

The Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt at Deer Lick Park was held at 8 p.m. on April 17. Amber Ramsey and Carla Jo Elliott organized the event for the first time this year, and more than 70 children braved the cool temperatures to collect the eggs.

Photo by Shari Harris

The festivities began around 7:30 p.m. As children arrived, they received a glow stick and a ticket for a free ice cream at Hood’s Frosty Treat in Licking. The Easter Bunny was on hand for children to visit, and parents were busy capturing the moment on their cell phones. Coloring tablecloths covered several tables at the pavilion, with crayons available for anyone interested. Even more tables were covered with prizes from which the children were able to choose after hunting eggs.

Children were divided into four age groups: 0-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-plus, with separate areas for each group. Four golden eggs were included in the hunt, one in each age group. The lucky finder of the golden egg received a gift card to Sonic, Apple or PlayStation. The ratio of eggs to children was high, and baskets were heaped with eggs. Some children took off their shoes when their baskets were full and gathered eggs until their shoes overflowed.

The event organizers received assistance from the community. Hood’s Frosty Treat teamed up with The Licking Chamber of Commerce to offer the free ice cream coupons. Friend Lumber and Country Crafts and Flea Market also donated cash. Pizza Hut in Houston provided personal pan pizza gift certificates. United Community Help Center donated candy and Bridge Builders stuffed eggs for the event. Many others donated prizes, stuffed eggs, gave glow sticks, spread out eggs and provided additional assistance; they included Austin Elliott, Reggia Ward, Kym Grishow, Vanessa Haneline, the Licking FFA, Shellie Ogden, Bethany Pope, Debbie and Danny Wade and Stetson Stevens.

Initially it seemed Licking would have a second consecutive year without an Easter Egg Hunt, but thanks to Ramsey, Elliott and a community that rallied around them, the tradition continues. Stay tuned next year for another fun-filled Easter event.

Leave a Comment