The overcast skies and scattered showers of this past weekend didn't keep away the participants in Bridgeville's Easter Egg Hunt. In fact, crowds seem to be increasing with each passing year.

Entertained with cookie decorating, snacks, coloring pages and of course, the Easter Bunny and egg hunt, kids age 10 and under gathered with their families to welcome spring and share in a time-honored tradition.

For about 15 years now, the Bridgeville Community Association (B.C.A.), with help from the Holy Child Knights of Columbus, have been organizing the annual, free event. The Bridgeville Fire Department lends a hand and provides the location. 

Approximately 300 gathered at the fire hall for snacks and activities. Then, according to age groups and starting with smaller children, families were lead by the Easter Bunny out to where the eggs were hidden in patches of straw. Sections were divided to allow safe hunting for each age group. The master of ceremonies was Steve Rauch, who is with the Knights of Columbus. Special eggs awarded the finder baskets stuffed with toys and prizes.

"Area businesses donate gifts or snacks for the egg hunt. Everyone gives equally, I couldn't single out one person or business" said Colleen Rogosz, president of the Bridgeville Community Association, about her donors and volunteers.

The support was obvious. Local businesses were well represented in the prizes, trays of cookies, chips and raffled gift baskets. The monies from the raffles help to defray the cost of prizes and contents of the eggs. The hunt and snacks are free to families, provided for by donations. Organizing for this begins in January and by the happy looks on the kids' faces, their hard work truly paid off.

Rain drops held off until right after the hunt, but it's a rain or shine event.

"One year, we had the hunt inside the fire department because of the rain. You should have seen it. Hay was flying everywhere. But within minutes, it was all cleaned up," Rogosz said.

The Easter Egg Hunt in Bridgeville always occurs during the weekend before Easter (the Saturday before Palm Sunday). Other events the Bridgeville Community Association helps to organize are the Halloween Parade and Winter Blast.

Keep checking chartiersvalley.patch.com for more information on area activities.