Maidstone Bicentennial Museum Easter Egg-stravaganza gets best turnout in years

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative

The Maidstone Bicentennial Museum got an early hop on Easter on Sunday, as it hosted its annual Easter Egg-stravaganza.

Museum visitors were able to tour the facility and its many displays commemorating local history, shop at a local vendor market where area businesses were able to connect with community members and sell some of their homemade and unique wares, and get a picture with the Easter Bunny.

Later in the afternoon, all the children were able to line up and dash off at the sound of the bell to gather as many chocolate-filled eggs as they could in the annual egg hunt.

The kids were divided into age groups to ensure that they all had a fair chance to take home plenty of sweet treats.

Leading up to the event, the Maidstone Bicentennial Museum challenged the creative talents of local youths by asking them to participate in the annual coloring contest. Winners for each of the age groups were awarded at the Easter Egg-stravaganza event with an Easter-themed prize package, loaded with treats and toys.

This year's coloring contest garnered a record-breaking number of submissions.

Museum Curator, Victoria Beaulieu, was pleased with the support, as this year's event attracted one of the strongest turn outs. Around 300 visitors attended the event, of which around 130 were youths. That was partly due to the nicer weather, in addition to the many activities hosted onsite.

Plans are already in the works to expand the event for next year.

Looking ahead, the Maidstone Bicentennial Museum will host its 14th annual Essex County War of 1812 Encampment on Sunday, May 24, from 10-4pm. This event will offer the chance to stroll through period camps, see the Museum's 1812 timeline exhibit, learn from cooking, blacksmith, and rope making demonstrations, and watch black powder, cannon, and musket firing demonstrations