MARSHALL - It was a spring celebration, Minnesota-style.
The kids gathering on the lawn near the Marshall Hy-Vee arrived bundled up in hooded sweatshirts, coats and hats as a chilly wind blew. But they also held their Easter baskets at the ready, scoping out the candy and brightly-colored plastic eggs hidden in the grass.
At the official countdown of "On your marks - get set - go!" there was a small stampede.
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Photo by Deb Gau
The start of an egg hunt at the Marshall Hy-Vee on Saturday morning was the signal for a mad dash, as area kids searched for candy and plastic eggs that could be turned in for prizes.
In spite of the blustery weather, a good-sized crowd of kids and families from around the Marshall area took part in a community Easter egg hunt at Hy-Vee on Saturday morning.
Children in several age groups got the chance to say hello the Easter Bunny (played by Patti Dold), and lined up to comb the grass for wrapped candies and eggs that could be turned in for prizes.
Everyone seemed to have a different egg-hunt strategy. Lots of kids, especially the younger ones, worked together with parents or family members. Cara McGary kept both hands free to pick up goodies, while her uncle Leighton Otto leaned over the ropes marking the hunt area, holding a bag for her. Abby Linscott walked alongside her younger siblings.
"You just hold the bag open, and they put it all in," she said.
Teamwork was especially important for Rick and Ronda Kobylinski, as they guided their twin daughters, Elise and Myra, around the hunt area.
"It's their first Easter egg hunt, except for putting some candy on the grass at home," Ronda Kobylinski said. The Kobylinskis had heard about the egg hunt earlier in the week, and thought it would be a fun activity for the girls.
Some of the older egg-hunters relied on speed, dashing ahead to the far side of the hunting ground and shaking plastic eggs to see if there was anything inside. Others were more methodical, picking up every last piece of candy. Either way, most participants had a good haul of chocolate by the end of the event.
"My basket is getting heavy," said Emma Mernaugh, as she and Jordan Mernaugh were wrapping up a successful candy hunt in the 7-10 age bracket.
There wasn't really a secret to snagging their favorite goodies, Jordan Mernaugh said.
"You just kinda run and grab the candy with both hands," he said.
The hunt was sponsored by Hy-Vee and the Marshall Independent.