Smiles abound during Easter egg hunt at marketplace
Apr. 2—SCRANTON — Children posed for photos with the Easter Bunny and hopped to the finish line during potato sack races Sunday afternoon inside the Marketplace at Steamtown.
Hundreds of people gathered at the marketplace for an Easter egg hunt and other activities, including a bounce house and face painting, event organizer Gilbert Barr said.
"It was so heartwarming," he said. "Being a free event, I was happy to be able to help as many families as I could. We wanted to see people come out and be with their loved ones."
In addition to the marketplace event, other Easter-themed activities this weekend included the 23rd annual O'Malley Family Free Drive-through Easter Party at McDade Park and Easter Bunny on the Trolley at the Electric City Trolley Museum.
Barr hosted an outdoor Easter egg hunt at McDade Park last year and decided to move activities inside this year.
The Scranton man strives to influence positivity in the region.
"It's something we want to put on annually," Barr said. "A lot of people in this area were riddled with substance abuse. I'm a few years into recovery myself. I wake up every day with a new opportunity to make change and I want to give back to my community."
Barr credited support from the organizers of Tour de Scranton, a charity bike ride that raises money to provide support to individuals struggling with substance use disorders, and other donors for making the egg hunt a reality.
"Even with a hurting economy, people were able to spare some money and we were able to put this great event on," he said. "We want to show all these kids that somebody cares and loves them."
Barr enjoyed spending the afternoon with his son, Levi, 3, and daughters, Maggie, 14, and Abigale, 21, who helped out with the event.
Claire Sciulara of Moscow attended the egg hunt with her daughter, Milan, 9, who sported a bumblebee design on her cheek.
Sciulara believes community events are important for kids who missed out on chances to socialize throughout the pandemic.
"I think it's really good for the children because now we're able to get together as a community and they can meet up with their friends and enjoy the activities," she said.
Cassie Borthwick of Dallas brought her daughter, Spencer, 2, to meet the Easter Bunny.
"The fact that it's free is the most important thing," she said. "A lot of people don't have the money for events these days."
The variety of activities impressed Kimberly Potter of Old Forge and her daughters, Charlotte, 6, and Emily, 3.
Charlotte, enamored of the Easter Bunny, reached back for another hug before walking away.
"I like him because he's cute," said Charlotte, who added her favorite part about Easter is the candy.
Contact the writer: rtomkavage@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9131; @rtomkavage on Twitter.
