Dayhoff: Two Easter egg hunts planned for this spring in Westminster

Easter comes early this year. The easiest way to explain when Easter takes place on the calendar is that it is the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs after the first day of spring.

This year the “vernal equinox” — the first day of spring, took place March 19. The first full moon will be March 25. That means this year Easter is on March 31.

It will not fall this early again until 2285. In the past, Easter has occurred early — March 23 in 1845, 1856, 1913 and 2008. However, in 1818, Easter arrived on March 22. In 2025 Easter is back to April. It will take place on April 20, 2025.

Throughout Carroll County’s history, the celebration of Easter has had an emphasis on the religious aspects of the holiday. However, childhood thoughts of Easter in Carroll County are also full of memories of a community Easter egg hunt.

Years ago the City of Westminster Easter egg hunts took place at the Westminster Playground. This year the Westminster Easter egg hunt will take place today (March 24) at Wakefield Valley Park, 1000 Fenby Farm Road.

The Easter egg hunt for ages 1-4 begins at 1:30 p.m., and at 2:30 for ages 5-8. Arrive early for childrens’ activities, and crafts. The 4-H Rabbit and Cavy Club will again be bringing the bunny petting zoo.

This year the “Find Your Purpose — Wisdom Court” Easter egg hunt and music festival will take place at the Westminster Playground on March 30, from 3 to 6 p.m. The Easter egg hunt will begin at 3:30 p.m.

The Find Your Purpose (FYP) organization, formally known as the Wisdom Court Kid’s Club, was established in 2021 as a non-profit organization under the Community Foundation of Carroll County. It was founded by local community leader Billy Lyve. This year the festival will feature music by The Harbor Boys, JayMoney Hackett and Project C Studios, and DJ Anchor The Bank.

According to information from the organization this year FYP will be hosting its 17th annual Easter Egg Hunt. “This event started in 2008 at Piney Run Park in Sykesville, MD with 8 children in attendance … FYP works as a prevention program by providing our older kids with job opportunities that not only occupy their time in a positive way, but occupies their minds as well. They help build our mission by setting an example for our younger kids.

“Our organization has become a powerful voice for the minority communities in the Carroll County area. We think that Baltimore should hear more about some of the positive things out here that are available for our youths …

“This year’s event will … be a musical event, as well as an Easter Egg Hunt. Our mission has always been focused on, but not limited to, serving minorities and the under-privileged communities of Carroll County. Every year, this is projected to be one of the largest, most inclusive, and most diverse events in Carroll County.”

Much more research is needed to determine when the tradition of a community Easter egg hunt began in Westminster. It may have begun after World War II on March 26, 1948, when The Democratic Advocate carried an article that reported, “Plans for the Easter egg hunt sponsored by the Venture Club of Westminster for the children of this community are nearing completion. All the children of Westminster are invited to participate, following the band concert by the Westminster Band at the Municipal Playground at 2 p.m.”

The following year, the newspaper reported, “About 800 children enjoyed the second annual Easter egg hunt at the playground Sunday afternoon. Members of the Venture Club were hostesses to the children. A concert was presented by the William F. Myers Sons band … When the band completed its concert, J. Albert Mitten took over as Master of Ceremonies, using the American Legion sound truck. Rev. E. C. Woodward offered the invocation.”

As for the tradition of Westminster having an Easter parade; local historian Judge Joe Getty noted in an article he wrote a number of years ago for the Historical Society of Carroll County: “Easter Monday parades were held in Westminster in 1884, 1885, and 1887. After a short lapse, a large parade was held in 1892.”

Of course, since we live in Maryland, the weather is always unpredictable. In the week or so approaching Palm Sunday in 1942, Carroll County basked with delight in temperatures in the 70s. However, the weather for Palm Sunday in 1942 was “shock and awe” for winter-weary Carroll countians and the outfit of the day was heavy coats, hats, scarves and snow boots. The National Weather Service history of that day reports:

“March 29-30, 1942: The Palm Sunday Snowstorm dumped the state’s heaviest March snow on record in Maryland. The storm began as rain but changed over to a wet heavy snow … Maximum amounts reported were … 32 inches at Westminster.”

A front-page newspaper article at the time lamented, “Older residents report it to be the heaviest in their memory … Throughout Westminster and the county, hundreds of cars were abandoned, many completely covered.”

Hopefully this year we can escape the cold weather and snow and just enjoy the eggs and chocolate.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. His Time Flies column appears every Sunday. Email him at kevindayhoff@gmail.com.