MINT HILL, NC – In the weeks leading up to Easter, Mint Hill residents were invited to “Hop Around Mint Hill” in search of twelve giant Easter eggs!

The event was the first of its kind for the Town of Mint Hill, who doesn’t usually coordinate an Easter event.  Inspired by the success of 2020’s Scarecrow Decorating Contest, they had the idea for a town-wide Egg Hunt.  “Since we haven’t been able to do any in-person events, we wanted to do something to engage the community,” said Assistant to the Town Manager Sheryl Smith.  

The Easter Bunny hid one dozen eggs around town on March 16, and the Town of Mint Hill posted one clue a day on social media to help residents find them in locations like Veteran’s Memorial Park, the Park on Wilgrove Park, Town Hall, and the Chamber of Commerce.  “We put them in places that were easy to find with or without clues,” says Smith.  An egg sitting at the base of the clock at Lawyers Road and Highway 51, for example, was hard to miss!  “The clues just made it more fun.”

“We had so much fun reading the clues posted daily on the Facebook page and trying to figure out where the eggs were hidden,” says mom of two Erica Larter.  “My boys loved when we found eggs, and they enjoyed telling their friends where they found them!  What a fun way for Mint Hill to bring the community together safely!” 

Centered on each egg was a unique QR code that led to a form where eager egg hunters could enter their name and email address to be entered into a drawing for one of five  $25 Visa gift cards.  Abby Smith, Bradlee Berry, Pamela Rodriguez, Anna Sebok and Daniel Smith were randomly selected as winners from over 1400 entries!

With coronavirus cases trending downward and opportunities for vaccination on the rise, the town plans to resume some of its normal programming this summer.  Mark your calendar for the Town’s first Family Fun Night of the summer on June 12 featuring Thirsty Horses at Mint Hill Veteran’s Park.  In addition, to live music, the event will feature inflatables, food trucks, face painting, and family games.

The Easter Egg Hunt is yet another example of the Town’s ability to adapt and invent new ways to bring the community together in a year where many beloved traditions have been put on hold.   “The Scarecrow Decorating Contest, Santa’s Mailbox and now Hop Around Mint Hill bring the community together in a fun and safe environment,” says Smith.  “This is definitely another event that will be added to our annual events.  We are already talking about ways to expand it for next year and open it up to local businesses!”