LUSK – Warmer weather than the last several years greeted those who assembled at North Park in Lusk for the Annual Elk’s Easter Egg Hunt. As usual, the event was divided into three areas based on age. As children and parents lined up there were many first time attendees and some returning ones, and even those that were second generation participants. Cassidy Miller and Rebecca (Lashmett) Wenger were there in with their children. Both remember doing the Elk’s egg hunt as children.

The signal to start went off at exactly 1 p.m. as usual and within minutes the event was all over. Kids of all ages scrambled to pick up as many eggs as they could. Some were so overwhelmed by the number of eggs to be seen on the grass of the baseball field that they simply ran from space to space, others seemed to have a methodical, planned strategy. 

The wind did force some slight changes. The youngest kids’ area, 0-4, was moved into the fenced-in skate park area since they were rolling around too much on the grass and organizers were concerned that some would roll into the parking lot. 

The number of kids present appeared to be almost half from previous years. Organizers agreed that numbers were down and weren’t sure of the reason why. They have traditionally always done the hunt the Saturday a week before Easter and this year was the same.

Around 3,000 eggs were stuffed with coins and cookie coupons and even a few $1, $5 and $10 bills. The Elk’s members had an egg stuffing party but it still took several evenings to complete the massive job. Contacting local businesses and individuals is part of the project that an annual committee takes care of. 

Local donors included Tuff as Nails, Country Corner Hair Salon, Rancher’s Feed and Supply, Same As It Once Was, Davies’ Law Office, Rob’s Liquor Store, The Pub, The Silver Dollar Bar, Bloomers, The Pizza Place, Carquest, The Rodeway Inn, Clark Tire, Rawhide Motel, Hiway Brake, The Best Western Pioneer Court, Lusk State Bank, Allbright’s True Value, Lusk Subway, Jim Wagner, Corky Fosher, Carmine Girone, Bean Grinders, Jim and Sheila Tangney and Pete Pier.

As always, the Lusk Elk’s Lodge No. 1797 enjoyed providing this annual community event. They hope that many more will continue to make it a family tradition. If anyone would like to join the Elks or learn more about the Easter Egg hunt they can contact the Lusk Lodge No. 1797.