On the coattails of a year of event cancellations or modifications due to COVID-19, the Easter Bunny hopping over to Burton was a welcome sight April 3.
The Saturday before Easter welcomed a season of hope, renewal and new life at the Geauga County Fairgrounds.
On the coattails of a year of event cancellations or modifications due to COVID-19, the Easter Bunny hopping over to Burton was a welcome sight April 3.
“We feel that small town traditions like this are important to continue,” said Rick Chambers, organizer of the 2021 Burton Village Drive-Thru Easter Egg Hunt. “It gives everyone in the community a chance to see each other and bond. Hey, and after a Geauga County winter and everything else going on, we knew that this event was exactly what was needed for our community. A chance to bond, share, smile and, of course, eat some candy together.”
The annual egg hunt persevered through the pandemic with masks and social distancing, as well as community spirit and a new venue in Burton.
After the event was cancelled last year, Chambers, owner of RE/Max Rising, joined the Burton Chamber of Commerce and more than 28 generous sponsors to make the 2021 event as popular as can be remembered.
“We just wanted to bring a little bit of joy that was taken away this year,” said Ann Blair, Chambers’ wife.
Mission accomplished.
Special activities included Polaroid pictures with the Easter Bunny and greetings with the Burton police and fire departments at the end of the drive-thru.
Sponsors from all over Burton and Geauga County donated funds and Easter-themed goodies to provide for more than 300 bags for children 12 and under.
The event, originally scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., began 10 minutes early and ended about an hour early.
Burton’s Mike Sestak pulled in around 7:30 a.m. after dropping off his fiancé at work, making him and his children, Grace, 3, and Brantley, 6, first in line.
“Kids were excited,” Sestak said, adding the Easter activity prelude was coloring eggs the day before.
“The way kids’ faces light up when they see the Easter Bunny. It’s just too exciting to pass up,” Chambers said. “We hope that the families that come through remember why Easter is so important and the meaning behind it.”
He said organizers were thrilled to have the opportunity to host this event at the Geauga County Fairgrounds.
“They do so much for the community and this just shows you that the fairgrounds is there to support the community year round and not just the week of the fair,” Chambers said.
Sestak echoed the sentiments of many.
“It’s nice with all this stuff going on, we can do this in Burton,” he said. “It felt like stuff is slowly getting back to having fun.”
