The rain and windy weather March 23 forced the Coplay Borough Fire Department members to re-strategize for their third annual community egg hunt.

The event was supposed to be held at Saylor Field, but circumstances necessitated a pivot. The event was held inside Coplay Social Hall, 165 Cherry St. The social hall was once a part of the fire department’s home association.

The rain did not dampen the enthusiasm of the participants as the hall was jammed with smiling, energized egg hunters, seeking to scoop up as many candy-filled eggs as they could. Four hunts were held in the social hall, and two were in the fire hall’s garage, with trucks parked outside to make room.

A volunteer firefighter poured a barrel of plastic eggs across the floor for each event, which was organized by age groups. When the egg hunters got approval to start, there was a lively scramble for the plastic eggs loaded with candy. There were so many eggs that a few were crushed under the little feet during each hunt.

As an added bonus, the Easter Bunny came to visit and take photos with the young egg seekers. Even volunteer firefighters got a Bunny picture. Firefighter Katelyn Buchfuhrer was all smiles during the picture. She wanted to ask the Bunny for a gift, but realized that is done only with Santa.

Nancy Fenstermaker and Veronica Tully, of Northampton, serve on the fire department fundraising committee. Both were buzzing around like bees coordinating the indoor event.

Coplay Fire Department Chief Joseph Britt was clearly delighted and grateful for his team’s work and the large turnout on a bad weather day.

“It was great,” he said.