Weston County Health Services' annual egg hunt in Newcastle features search-and-rescue sponsorship and community barbecue

Weston County Health Services hosted its annual egg hunt in Newcastle, featuring a Search and Rescue sponsorship, prize-filled eggs for multiple age groups and a barbecue run by the Newcastle Stingrays swim team.

Sharla Zerbes, marketing and PR coordinator for Weston County Health Services, said the event is the agency's annual egg hunt and that the organization sponsored Search and Rescue's participation. "We're very excited. We're thankful for the weather and thank you for the community support," Zerbes said.

Kenneth Hodge, who identified himself as representing Search and Rescue, said volunteers helped prepare eggs and were at the event to interact with residents. "We're here today on this beautiful day to just interact with the community, help fill eggs, and have a good time," Hodge said.

An event volunteer said Search and Rescue helped ensure the eggs were filled with prizes, and that there were "a little over 3,000" eggs available, with an additional 50 eggs placed around the park. Organizers set separate age-group hunts: walking to 3, 4 to 6, 7 to 9 and 10 to 13.

A representative of the Newcastle Stingrays said the swim team ran a barbecue at the event offering burgers or hot dogs, chips, drinks and rice krispie treats for $5. The Easter bunny was present for photographs and to greet children.

Organizers did not specify a date for the event in the recorded remarks, nor did they state whether proceeds supported a particular program. The announcements focused on community participation, sponsorship by Search and Rescue and family activities available at the park.