Sun shines on Easter fun in Milford

The Milford Branch Library hosted a full house of Easter bonnet making enthusiasts.

11-year-old Sawyer Boultbee, from Toronto, decorated a hat to complement his painted face.

Story and photos by Sharon Harrison
Whether it was Easter bonnet decorating, a colourful parade or the Easter egg hunt, it could all be found in the pretty village of Milford Saturday.

The day began with a traditional pancake breakfast at the town hall. The annual Milford Easter Parade and festivities put together by the South Marysburgh Recreation Board are a tradition for many over the Easter long weekend.

Seven-year-old Vivienne works on an Easter bonnet at the Milford branch library.

The Milford branch library – celebrating its 25th year in 2018 – was packed with children and accompanying grown-ups in a frenzy of tissue paper, raffia and hot glue guns. Library staff lent a hand to those in need as pipe cleaners, artificial flowers and plastic eggs adorned many creations.

Straw hats, small and large, decorated with an assortment of colourful pom poms, beads and ribbon made for an eclectic and interesting contribution all handmade by little ones as young as two-years-old up to 10-and 11-years-old. Several of the bonnet-makers were out-of-town visitors warmly welcomed at the branch. With many smiles, and only one or two brief tantrums, the millinery of hats was ready for display.

Waiting for the Easter parade to begin.

Delighted with a basket full of chocolate eggs.

Once bonnets, hats and bunny ears were assembled, the small, but colourful parade began its route from Milford town hall, across the bridge and into the fairgrounds. Many eagle-eyed children quickly realized the baseball field was dotted in foil-covered eggs in every colour of the rainbow, gleaming in the bright morning sunshine making the eggs that much easier to find.

As all the children lined up ready to begin the Easter egg hunt, the Easter bunny had fun coaxing and teasing the children as he signalled for them to start. He jumped about and danced, encouraging the children to do the same as they warmed up for the hunt. It took moments for the thousands of eggs to be “hunted” and baskets and bags were quickly filled.

Most walked, but some rode in the parade to the fairgrounds.

But it was the Easter bunny’s special basket containing different and bigger surprises that captured the attention of many chasing him around the fairgrounds.

For those children exercising patience and politeness, they were handsomely rewarded as the Easter bunny reached into his big basket and offered up a very special treat just for them.

The resulting smiles and delighted squeals: priceless.