Brasstown – John C. Campbell Folk School’s annual Easter Egg Hunt returned Saturday afternoon, bringing out more than 400 people despite grey and rainy skies.
Easter activities were held in the open-air Festival Barn, where the John C. Campbell Cloggers not only danced but offered a quick lesson on their steps. Monica Matthews led little cloggers in a couple of dances, which were entertaining and interactive, as children and adults from the audience were invited on stage to participate.
There were separate areas for different age groups in the barn peppered with lots of hand-painted wooden eggs. They were hidden in and around hay piles.
The egg-shaped wooden works of art replaced plastic eggs to create sustainability, and each of the 1,400 wooden eggs were hand-painted by the staff as well as members of the community. Once the children found the wooden eggs, they could turn them in for candy.
For those wanting a little more than candy to eat, Smoky Mountain BBQ was serving up barbecue. By the end of the day, they were almost completely sold out.
Lots of children were crowded around different tables to participate in a variety of different arts and crafts, where they could make bunny headbands, feather necklaces, clothespin peek-a-boos and bunny handprints.
The event wouldn’t have been complete without Elizabeth Belz as Peter Rabbit making an appearance and providing some social media-ready photo opportunities.
“We had an amazing turnout for our Easter egg hunt and a great time crafting, dancing, and egg hunting together,” said Morgan Budzinski, the folk school’s event and volunteer manager.
“I’m so thankful that we could turn a gloomy day around and watch hundreds of kids and adults leave with smiles on their faces. We love our community and are grateful they came to show their support for one of our many beloved annual events.”
Sarah and Trevor Staton of Hayesville brought Grady, just 14 months old, to hunt for eggs and see the famous bunny.
“We’re so excited to be here,” Sarah said. “He hasn’t met the Easter Bunny yet. He’s our first little boy.”
The folk school’s Friends & Family Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 6. Kids and adults of all ages are invited to a of hands-on craft, music and dance activities. For details, visit www.folkschool.org/friends.