(Left) The Easter Bunny spent the morning taking pictures with the children and families of Chenango County. (Right) Chenango County kids Harmony and Cassie were the lucky winners of the free bicycles, donated by the Maydole Hose Company. (Photos by Sarah Genter)

NORWICH — Despite chilly temperatures and the threat of rain, dozens of Chenango County residents came out to East and West Park on Saturday for the annual Easter egg hunt hosted by the Maydole Hose Company and the Norwich Business Improvement District (BID).

The Easter Bunny attended the festivities, and took pictures with children and families throughout the event. Beginning at 10 a.m., children up to four years of aged lined the outer edge of West Park before counting down and racing into the park to snatch up a portion of the 5,000 eggs hidden by volunteers.

"Alright everybody, let's stretch and move around a little bit to get warmed up. We don't want to pull a muscle or a hammy running through here to get all these eggs. Is everybody ready?" asked BID Executive Director Tracey Chawgo. "Everybody count with me. Five, four, three, two, one, go get the eggs!"

At 10:30 a.m., children aged five to eight did the same in East Park. The eggs contained candy and small prizes, and one egg in each park also contained a certificate to win a free bicycle, donated by the Maydole Hose Company. The two lucky winners were Chenango County kids Harmony and Cassie.

"We've got Cassie and Harmony that have won bikes here," said Chawgo. "I was told earlier that Jay Lynn, who I think she won a bike a few years ago, was one of the winners of the bike and passed it off to one of these young ladies this year, so that was nice of her. So Jay Lynn thank you for doing that."

The annual Easter egg hunt was made possible by members of the Maydole Hose Company, who began the tradition 12 years ago, the Norwich BID, and volunteers from NBT Bank and the Norwich Fire Department.

"I want to thank the Maydole Hose Company, they sponsor the Easter egg hunt every year with the Business Improvement District, and all our volunteers. We've got volunteers who have helped out from NBT. Thank you to the fire department, the career staff that's come down here and are helping out," said Chawgo. It takes quite a few people to make sure that this happens the way we want it to happen."

"We appreciate everyone taking time out of their day, we appreciate mother nature holding off the rain for us for a little bit too," he added. "Thank you to the Easter Bunny ... Everybody have a happy and safe Easter."