Pipestone Flyer
Can you say, "EASTER BUNNYYYYYY"! Some of the 160 kids attending the 8th annual Warburg Easter Egg Hunt organized by Krista Kohl.
After each child collected 10 eggs, the remaining 1933 eggs were gathered in the free-for-all during the 2014 Easter Egg Hunt held at the Warburg Park.
For the past two weeks, the Kohl family—kids Roman, Konrad, Jonathan, Ella, Emma and mom Krista and their two volunteer friends, Ousana and Diana—have been busily stuffing 500 to 750 eggs every day in order to ensure the 3533 colourful plastic eggs were ready for the annual Warburg Easter egg hunt. It took Roman and Krista about an hour to scatter the goodies across the park, including 420 packages of Life Savers tm donated by Warburg FCSS.
Then, on April 19, 160 kids gathered with family members and friends at the central park in Warburg. If you have never attended, it is quite the sight to watch. People have commented on how well organized the event is. One unnamed mother from Edmonton said she likes to come to the Warburg event because it is well run—without the dangerous pushing and shoving at other similar events. She doesn’t have to worry that her little ones will get trampled.
Krista first sends out the little ones in the age 0-5-years category to gather their ten eggs, and then the 6 to12-year-olds have a turn collecting their ten. “This way,” explains Krista, “each child is assured ten eggs.” Dawson Kohl leads each group along the paved pathway that cuts diagonally across the park and no one moves off that path until Krista gives the word. After both groups have hunted, there is a third hunt—the free for all.
There were five special baby bags containing an Easter bib and stuffed animal given out as well.
The Easter egg hunt has become one of the most anticipated yearly events by not only locals, but for families visiting loved ones in the area. The first hunt took place in 2007 with 71 kids hunting 1073 eggs.
This year, the Kohl family sponsored the event. They and volunteer assistants have been faithfully organizing the hunt for the past eight years. Sadly, this is the last year the Kohl family will be involved as they are moving. It is bitter sweet for the Kohl’s oldest son, 14-year-old Roman. He has fond memories of helping—he started stuffing eggs when he was six. The most challenging time for him was contending with weather.
“A couple years ago, there was a huge challenge putting the eggs out with the snow. It was about this deep (his outstretched hand indicates anywhere from two to three feet deep).”
For Roman, the rewards are great. “It’s been really fun, just seeing their smiling faces. That’s why I always come. I enjoy it.”
Warburg Pioneer Ag Society offered yummy free hotdogs and juice for the guests. Warburg Feed & Farm Supplies generously donated an Easter basket full of goodies which was won by Bev Dancause.
Regarding the future of the Easter egg hunt, Warburg Chief Administrative Officer Christine Pankewitz said, “Ag society members and community members are welcome to forward any ideas for the future.”
A big thank you goes out to all who have helped behind the scenes to make this event one of the most eagerly anticipated occasions of the year.
Why has Krista spearheaded this event? “All those smiles melt my heart. For some, I know this is Easter.”
Special kudos to Krista for bringing the tradition here and for organizing, pre-registering, shopping for goodies, stuffing the eggs, ‘laying all the eggs,’ counting those who attend, establishing an excellent safety protocol so no child was hurt and for your family’s sponsorship this year.