Staff photo by Clay Schult
Joey Haas, Asher Ohoto, Addison Leske, Axton Leske and Alek Leske meet with the Easter Bunny during the Spring Fling on Saturday at the Best Western Plus.
NEW ULM– It was a busy Easter weekend with families hopping from one holiday event to the next.
Multiple Easter egg hunts were held throughout New Ulm on Saturday, and the Easter Bunny was at every one to greet the children.
The holiday festivities began at 10 a.m. in German Park with the Park and Recreations Easter Egg Hop. Families walked through German Park, collecting Easter eggs and candy and meeting some of their favorite literary characters; including Cat in the Hat, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. The Easter Bunny was available for photos. Well over a hundred people attended the Hop.
Each kid attending the left with a goodie bag holding a snack, activities book, gnome craft and sidewalk chalk.
Park and Recreation staff were delighted to hold the event outside. In the event of rain or snow, the Easter Egg Hop is relocated indoors at the Civic Center.
Staff photo by Clay Schult
Decked out in her rabbit ears, 1-year-old Reygan Roppe was one of many people who attended Saturday’s German Park Easter Egg Hop.
Recreation Program Supervisor Liz Malloy said she was determined to keep the event outside in the park. A few snowflakes fell in the early morning, but no storm materialized, and the temperature rose throughout the day, reaching into the low 40s by afternoon.
At the Best Western, the annual Spring Fling Craft & Vendor Show started in the early morning and ran through the afternoon. The New Ulm Craft and Vendor Events group holds several craft shows throughout the year, but the Spring Fling is an annual tradition, which also features an appearance from the Easter Bunny. Every kid in attendance was given their own set of rabbit ears.
Organizer James Haviland said of all the craft shows held by the group, the Easter show is among his favorite.
“It is fun seeing the kids interact with Easter Bunny,” he said.
Turnout for the craft show started strong, with a lot of customers in the morning.
Staff photo by Clay Schult
A young man scrambles to collect eggs at the Schell’s Brewery Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday. A total of 250 eggs were scattered around the garden space.
The next craft show event is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 14, in the 2nd N. and Broadway streets parking lot.
At 1 p.m. Schell’s Brewery kicked off an Easter Egg Hunt. It was the first Easter Egg Hunt ever held on the Brewery grounds. Based on the turnout, it could turn out to be an annual tradition.
A total of 250 Easter eggs were scattered around Schell’s gardens. Those attending the event could redeem up to three eggs for various prizes. The prizes included candy, free tours of the brewery, Schell’s shirts, discounts in the gift stores and drink tokens. Since it was a family event, the kids received free root beer when turning in drink tokens.
There were also 10 golden eggs scattered around Schell’s grounds. These eggs were a little harder to find. Anyone redeeming the golden egg received two free tours of the brewery and two free drink tokens.
All 250 eggs were recovered within the first 15 minutes of the hunt, but only six golden eggs were found in the first half-hour.
Franz Marti of Schell’s was excited with attendance. He said Saturday had some of the best weather all week. By afternoon the brewery garden area had dried up enough for a great Easter hunt.
Schell’s Visitor Center manager Curt Van Asten came up with the idea for an Easter Egg Hunt. He said they expected a good turnout but were surprised how many families attended the hunt.
Van Asten said next year they would at the very least double the number of eggs based on turnout.
