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Happy Easter - Sunday March 23
 As
a symbol of new life, eggs have long been
exchanged as an Easter tradition. The earliest
versions were chicken or duck eggs dyed and
painted in bright colours. In the Victorian era,
artificial eggs were filled with gifts and
chocolates. It was in the 19th century that the
first chocolate eggs were made in France and
Germany; their popularity has since spread
worldwide.
The Easter Bunny is not a modern invention. The
symbol originated with the pagan festival of
Eastre. The Anglo-Saxons worshipped the goddess,
Eastre, through her earthly symbol, the rabbit.
Germans brought the symbol of the Easter Bunny
to America. It was widely ignored by other
Christians until shortly after the Civil War. In
fact, Easter itself was not widely celebrated in
America until after that time. As with the
Easter Bunny and the holiday itself, the Easter
Egg predates the Christian holiday of Easter.
The exchange of eggs in the springtime is a
custom that was centuries old when Christians
first celebrated Easter. Today, children hunt
coloured eggs and place them in Easter Baskets
along with the modern version of real Easter
eggs -- those made of plastic or chocolate
candy.
Easter is one of the major festivals in Canada.
Apart from the religious observations, Easter
celebrations in Canada are marked by popular
Easter traditions such as Easter egg hunts and
egg decoration. In Canada, egg decorating is
usually an activity done with children at school
or home and the eggs are simply displayed for
decorative purposes. The traditional Easter egg
hunts are held by community organizations.
EASTER EGG
HUNTS IN THE NIAGARA REGION THIS YEAR!!
ST.
CATHARINES
The St. Catharines Jaycees Annual Easter Egg
Hunt
Saturday, March 22, 2008. The event begins at 9
am. The Jaycees will be assisting Community Care
of St. Catharines and Thorold in the collection
of food or money at the gate. There are over
50,000 Chocolate Eggs to be found. At Entry
either $1.00 Donation or one can food per child.
There will also be a BBQ on site and many other
fun events all morning long. Free shuttle
service will be running from 10am to 1pm from
Port Dalhousie Parking Lot.
Jaycee Gardens, Ontario Street, St. Catharines
Easter in the
Market
Saturday, March 22, 2008 The Easter Bunny wants
to celebrate Easter with you! Be sure to bring
all the kids down to the St. Catharines Farmers´
Market. Fun activities for the kids are planned
such as an Easter Egg Hunt, Colouring Contest
and of course meet the Easter Bunny.
Registration for Easter Egg Hunt is at 9:30 a.m.
- The hunt begins at 10:00 a.m. for 2-4 year
olds; 10:30 a.m. for 5-7 year olds; 11:00 a.m.
for 8-10 year olds. Find one of the six (6)
Golden Eggs to win something special. Please
remember to bring your own basket or container
to collect your eggs in!
BEAMSVILLE
The Beamsville Lions Club Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 22 at Lions Community Park .
There will be three hunts at 11:00am, 11:45am
and 12:30pm.
WELLAND
13th Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Merritt Island
Saturday, March 22 Volunteer firefighters in
Welland will host this event which will run from
10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and will include face
painting, carnival games and an appearance by
Sparky the fire dog. Over $3,000 in prizes and
treats will be up for grabs. Children egg hunts
are $3 per child and $5 for a family egg hunt.
All proceeds will benefit the maternal and child
care unit at the Welland County General
Hospital. |
