CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Winter coats and knitted hats couldn’t slow down the excitement at Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday morning, as more than 50 local children and their families turned out for the third annual Easter Egg Hunt hosted by Elks Lodge No. 2875.
Despite the chilly spring air, the kids wasted no time darting across the open grass, eagerly scooping up colorful eggs packed with candy and prizes. Volunteers from the Elks scattered a whopping 1,000 eggs across three age-specific zones to make sure every child, from toddlers to tweens, had a fair shot at filling their baskets.
“This is for the kids of Harrison County — just like last year, and the year before that,” said Bill Parsons, one of the event’s co-chairs. “It’s a little cold, but the energy out here is great. The kids are excited. And honestly, so are the grown-ups.”
This is the second year the Elks have hosted the event at the VA Park, a location Parsons praised as a perfect spot for the community to gather. He said one of the most memorable moments in preparing for the event was when volunteers turned egg-filling into a friendly competition.
“Everyone started racing to see who could fill the most eggs the fastest,” Parsons said with a grin. “It was a good time.”
But for Parsons, the highlight is always the same: watching kids light up with joy. “When the kids are laughing and the parents are smiling, you just know it’s worth it,” he said. “It brings out the best in everybody.”
Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler Michael Jacobs, a 20-year member of the organization, echoed the sentiment. “We’re here to serve — kids, veterans, the whole community. That’s what the Elks are about,” Jacobs said. “Events like this feel like a family reunion. You see familiar faces, you meet new ones. Everyone comes together.”
Katrina Doyle brought her children — Elizabeth, Austin, and baby Elijah — to enjoy the festivities. “We live in Clarksburg, and this is our second weekend in a row doing something fun here,” Doyle said. “It was hard choosing between all the egg hunts going on, but I’m glad we came. The kids loved it.”
She especially appreciated the separate age-group areas and the sheer number of eggs hidden across the lawn. “There was plenty to go around, and it was fair for everyone,” she said.
Doyle also shared that the previous weekend, she had taken her children to a church event in town that used Easter eggs to teach the message of new life through the story of Jesus. “It was beautiful. The kids are learning, they’re having fun — and it feels like Clarksburg is full of things for families to do on the weekends.”
With another successful Easter event in the books, the Elks say they plan to continue the tradition next year — weather, eggs, and laughter all included.
The Clarksburg Elks Lodge No. 2875 is more than just a club — it’s a community of neighbors committed to service. From hosting family-friendly events like the annual Easter Egg Hunt to supporting veterans and youth programs, the Elks make a real impact right here at home. If you believe in giving back, building friendships, and making your town a better place, consider joining the Elks. Your time and heart could help change a life — and you’ll have fun doing it.
