Egg hunt tradition continues today in memory of Mark Law

Vickie Law and her late husband hosted the Easter event for more than three decades.

An annual family and friends Easter tradition is returning for its 33rd year, but this time things look a little different.

Vickie Law of Monongahela and her husband Mark Law have been hosting an Easter egg hunt at their 291 Hazel Kirk Road house for years.

After Mark passed away in July 2024, his wife decided to carry on their Easter tradition in his memory.

Mark has always loved kids, according to Vickie, and they both wanted to put something together years ago for the children in their neighborhood. Mark would always joke that it would never rain during the hunt, but last year it did.

“We’ve been doing this a long time. When we started it was just our neighbor and her boys and about 10 kids. Every year it would get bigger and bigger,” Vickie said. “This year, rain or shine, we will have it again.”

This year’s hunt, which has been named in memory of Mark, will start at noon today. The road will be blocked off for safety measures.

There will be 10,221 stuffed eggs with candy or coins in them as well as ponies, unicorns, face painting, a petting zoo, the Easter Bunny and gifts. Hot dogs will be provided by the Chambers family, and there will also be cupcakes, chips and drinks.

The Valley Inn Fire Department brings its truck so kids can climb on it and firefighters buy every kid a gift. People can park at the social center or Monongahela Animal Hospital to be shuttled to the house. A prayer will begin the celebration, followed by the hunt.

Vickie wanted to do one more hunt in honor of Mark before passing the celebration over to the fire department, who will be taking over the Easter egg hunt next year.

“He loved doing this,” Vickie said. “I used to make fun of him because he would chase down little kids with their parents at restaurants or shopping, asking ‘Do you know about our Easter egg hunt? I would love for you to come.’ The majority of the time they say they already come because we don’t know many of the people that are here. It’s friends, family and strangers. Anybody is welcome.”

Every child gets something, according to Vickie, and the hunt usually attracts around 200 kids every year.

They are usually done collecting eggs in about 7 to 8 minutes, and the yard is divided for different age groups.

Ringgold or Charleroi soccer teams set up the eggs before the hunt every year, and Vickie said the yard looks beautiful with pastel eggs everywhere.

When people are done with the eggs, they can place them in bins for the next year’s hunt or they can take some with them. Vickie said she starts stuffing eggs in February, and she said it’s easier than the booking, which Mark handled.

Vickie said Mark would laugh at her every year because she always thought no one would show up, but they always did.

She enjoys receiving cards from the kids who participate, and loves when kids who came 20 or so years ago return with their children, like her pizza delivery man who remembers coming to the house as a kid.

“Things like that happen all the time and we do make an impact,” Vickie said. “I just want to thank the parents for bringing the kids, but I want the kids to learn about the meaning of Easter. We make sure the reason behind that is known to the little ones.”

Vickie said she and Mark have always loved kids, and with them both being on their second marriage, they never had kids to call their own.

But that never stopped them from having children and nieces/nephews come over to sled in their yard or to watch a movie or Mark teaching kids how to fish at their campground.

“We love kids,” she said. “A lot of people say ‘Why do you go through that expense?’ It’s just what we love. We love our kids, and strangers. We just gravitate to children, and sometimes these kids don’t have anyone to lead them and to guide them. This is just one example of our love for kids.”

Vickie knows this year is going to be a little more difficult, especially without Mark around, but she said they will manage. She added that she doesn’t miss Mark giving her the forecast before their annual Easter egg hunt.

“At first, a lot of people were surprised that I am doing it by myself because they knew who Mark was, but he wouldn’t have wanted me not to have it, and I think he would be proud,” Vickie said. “I just want him to be proud, and I think he is.”