McKeesport’s annual Easter egg hunt brings community members together
The City of McKeesport hosts the free event each year at Renziehausen Park.
By COLETTE FUNCHES
McKeesport Community Newsroom
Dozens of smiling youngsters carrying brightly colored straw baskets gathered Saturday for the City of McKeesport’s annual Easter Egg Hunt.
Held at the Blue Top Pavilion in Renzie Park, the brisk March air did not dampen the spirits of children seeking Easter eggs. Each family received a ticket for a drawing of the Easter basket prizes.
Colorful Easter eggs were strewed all over the grassy areas near the pavilion. Troy Blackwell, the city’s new recreation director, announced, “We are going to do the hunt by age group so that everybody can get eggs and have a good time.”
It didn’t take long for the kids in each age group to find all the scattered eggs.
Mayor Tom Maglicco and his wife, Vita Maglicco, brought their 2-year-old son Giovanni. He happily found three eggs.
Seven-year-old Aria Nuhas, who attends McClellan Elementary School in Pleasant Hills proudly declared, “I got 13 eggs with candy inside.”
City Councilwoman Amber Webb brought her family, too.
“We love it. It’s a nice treat and nice way of networking with people in the community” she said. Her daughter Yasemin Washington, 8, participated in the hunt, but was also happy to meet up with her friends.
There was a guest appearance by the Easter Bunny, who danced with the children as they gathered around seeking hugs and photo opportunities.
McKeesport resident Sean Copeland smiled when his family won one of the Easter baskets.
“It’s great for the community. The kids have a lot of fun. You hear so much about crime in this city, but good things happen in McKeesport,” he said.
A bag lunch was provided by Mayor Maglicco, the McKeesport Recreation Board and Another Shoulder LLC. Participants also had the opportunity to create Easter-themed crafts at a table sponsored by the McKeesport SHIP (State Health Improvement Plan), whose mission has been encouraging nonprofits in the area to work together to benefit the City of McKeesport for more than 20 years.
“It’s always a blessing to gather with friends and family. It’s always a delight. This is one of our record crowds. There are 300 people here today, normally there are around 100. So it more than doubled. Next year we will have to get more Easter eggs. The event just keeps growing and growing,” said Mayor Maglicco.
Colette Funches resides in McKeesport. She is a member of Tube City Writers, a program of the McKeesport Community Newsroom.
