7-year-old John Rockwell and 4-year-old Mikey Clark show off their new bicycles with the Maydole Hose Company. Each year the Maydole Hose Co. gives away two free bikes to kids who find the winning eggs in East and West Park. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

NORWICH — The Maydole Hose Company held their annual Easter egg hunt in Norwich's East and West Parks on Saturday, April 12.

Children from across Chenango County braved the rain to search for the 5,000 eggs hidden in the park by volunteers from the Maydole Hose Company.

Kids up to 4-years-old began the search in West Park, followed by kids aged 5 to 8 in East Park. Not only were they searching for eggs filled with candy and prizes, they were also looking for one egg in each park that contained a ticket to win a free bicycle.

This year's lucky winners were 4-year-old Mikey Clark and 7-year-old John Rockwell.

The Maydole Hose Company has been providing the free egg hunt every year for an estimated 20 years.

"We are the sponsor every year of this, the Maydole Hose Company, and we’re really proud to bring it out," said Maydole Hose Company President Pat Ford. "We love making people laugh and smile, and the kids love it."

Attending children also got to meet the Easter Bunny, who hopped through Norwich for the event.

Every year the Maydole Hose Company sponsors and supports several other local events and organizations, including the NHS After Prom Party, Little League, Norwich Youth Football, Firemen’s Home on the Hudson, Tunnels to Towers, St. Baldrick’s, and many others.

Firefighters also tend to the graves of former members around Memorial Day each year, replacing American flags and metal grave markers. Last year, members tended to the graves of approximately 130 former members.