Easter egg hunt hops at Maywood Park

You’ll be impressed when you see the fun family event put on by volunteers in this mid-County city …

A crowd gathers as they learn the rules of how this year’s City of Maywood Park Easter Egg Hunt will take place.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

As has been their tradition for many years, the citizens of the City of Maywood Park – a small community in Multnomah County, surrounded by outer East Portland, and bordered by I-205 and I-84 – held their annual Easter Egg Hunt on the morning of March 26.

In two large yards, volunteers distributed about 3,000 colorful plastic eggs. Just before the hunt got underway, organizer Patty Meighen instructed the participants where to “hunt”, based on their ages.

The “hunt” is on!

At 10:41 a.m. kids who were giggling, laughing – and seriously looking – began gathering their eggs.

“Every year, we do this as a community-sponsored event, Meighen told East Portland News. “We had 17 volunteers who help stuff all of the eggs with candy, gold coins that can be redeemed for prizes, and money – all in about an hour.”

Henry Christensen finds a good place for gathering Easter eggs.

Gary Moyes helps Cameron Moyes get an egg from the basket from Easter Bunny Gianni Singharaj, a David Douglas High School student volunteer.

The Saturday before Easter, the volunteers invite everyone in their city of 300 households to come and participate in their Easter-themed event. “This year we had a wonderful turnout because of the beautiful weather,” Meighen said. “We have here today not only residents but also extended families, cousins, and friends. It’s a real community event.”

After finding a Magic Easter Gold Coin, Roman Errico turns it in for a big bag of treats and toys awarded by Patty Meighen, as his grandfather, Patrick Errico, looks on.

She and her husband Greg Meighen have been the event’s coordinator for the last 14 or 15 years, Meighen said. “The best part of this for me is seeing the kids’ reactions. It’s great seeing all the kids out, and all the smiles on their faces.”

As much as they’ve enjoyed putting on the community-funded community party, Meighen said, “We’re looking for a new volunteer coordinator to step forward; someone who would be willing to take over, starting next year.”

On our Front Page: Jessica Burnett collects Easter eggs during the City of Maywood Park’s annual Easter event.

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