LUSK - Saturday may have been cold, but that didn’t stop three different age groups of Lusk children from descending upon North Park for a belated Easter Egg hunt. Originally scheduled for March 30, the hunt had to be rescheduled for April 6 because of snow. While Saturday’s weather conditions were only slightly better, they were still favorable enough to accommodate a crowd of youthful egg hunters.

Waiting to welcome the youngsters was Sam Blaney, the Exalted Ruler of Elks Lodge No. 1797.

Last year’s Easter egg hunt set the bar rather high for attendance. According to Blaney, approximately 300 kids showed up for the 2023 hunt. This year, however, expectations were more uncertain because of Wyoming’s erratic weather. Blaney was among those who voiced this ambivalence.

“We’re hoping for high attendance this year, but being a week late with cold temperatures, we’ll have to wait and see,” Blaney said.

Fortunately, the event following was worth the wait, as was evidenced by the sizable assemblage of young egg hunters. None of the three fields comprising the hunt were empty. The Elks have organized and hosted the Easter egg hunt for the last 14 years. According to Blaney, there has been little deviation from the tradition’s tried and true modus operandi.

“We’re just doing the regular formula,” Blaney said. “We’re still splitting the kids into three age groups and giving them all an equal chance.”

Preparation for the hunt is anything but easy. The prep work includes purchasing the eggs, collecting egg contents (e.g., quarters and other knickknacks), and filling and taping the eggs. The entire project culminates with the placement of eggs at the three fields in North Park. The young egg hunters who show up do the rest.

“It takes a month or so to get all of the eggs stuffed with coins and trinkets,” Blaney said. “So, we just do it on our meeting nights.”

This year, local youths from SkillsUSA, a nonprofit organization promoting skilled trades, provided signage for the event.

The Easter egg hunt is not the only activity that Lodge No. 1797 provides for Lusk’s youth. The Elks also host the Hoop Shoot and the Soccer Shoot, which allow local kids to show off their athletic prowess. During the Christmas season, the Elk’s Elves collect toy and food donations for local families.

Those who wish to learn more about Lodge No. 1797 can visit https://www.facebook.com/ElksLodge1797.