A number of Richland County churches and community locations celebrated Easter with Easter egg hunts and activities on Saturday. Among the celebrants were the Ontario United Methodist Church with their Eggstavaganza, Shelby First Lutheran Church with an Easter Egg hunt and bake sale, and Richland Carrousel Park with their egg hunt and carrousel rides.
Saturday, though cool was a sunny day for the many activities.
These traditions have long histories. According to history.com, the Bible makes no mention of a long-eared, short-tailed creature who delivers decorated eggs to well-behaved children on Easter Sunday. But the site states that while the exact origins of the Easter bunny are unclear, ”rabbits, known to be prolific procreators, are an ancient symbol of fertility and new life.”
The description goes on to say that the Easter bunny first arrived in America in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania.
Princeton University provides some insight on the history of the Easter egg, though different traditions and folklores may also be found. The egg is considered a symbol of new life. According to the university, the” ancient Zoroastrians painted eggs for Nowrooz, their New Year celebration, which falls on the Spring equinox. The Nawrooz tradition has existed for at least 2,500 years.”
Historical traditions are interesting studies, but Saturday’s activities simply brought residents out into the community for family fun.
