Easter egg hunt, bonnet contest this Saturday

SPARTA — The Easter bunny stopped by Sparta UNICO Easter Egg Hunt Chairperson Tom Cifelli's home to discuss the upcoming event. The 18th Annual Sparta UNICO Easter Egg Hunt and Adult Easter Bonnet Contest will be held Saturday, March 28 behind the Sparta Library at Dykstra Park.

"This year's hunt will have more than 3,000 eggs filled with candy," Cifelli said. "That's almost triple last years amount as we are expecting a large crowd."

As usual some of the eggs will hold tickets redeemable for special prizes including candy baskets and two bicycles donated by Dawn Corbo of Weichert Realtors.

The Easter Bunny will be available for photos with the children.

Last year Cifelli introduced a new feature to the event, an adult Easter Bonnet Contest. Adult are encouraged to wear an Easter Bonnet (or hat) to the event. Sparta stores The Lake Mohawk Flower Company and Bella Couture have donated floral arrangements and $100 Gift Certificate as they did last year for the winner. A new store ladies clothing store in town, Interplay Couture will also be donating a gift to the winner this year.

There will also be some vendors there. For information on how to obtain a vendor's table or on opportunities for corporate sponsorship contact Chairperson Thomas Cifelli at 201-230-3341.

The hunt is open to children up to 10 years old with a special place open to just toddlers. Tom recommends each child bring an Easter Basket and a camera if you would like to take pictures with the bunny. Admission is free but donations are appreciated.

UNICO is the largest Italian American service organization in the United States and meets every third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Sparta Ambulance Building.