Easter this year will be the first Sunday in April, but plans are already underway in Aurora for an Easter scavenger hunt that will take place downtown beginning March 1.
Due to the pandemic, the traditional Egg Hunt on the Island which included unleashing kids to scoop up thousands of plastic eggs filled with candy and toys in downtown Aurora has given way to a scavenger hunt that organizers said would last more than a month.
“We are partnering this year with Adventures in Scavenger Hunting who are helping us create a scavenger hunt at numerous locations throughout the downtown,” said Marisa Amoni, manager of Aurora Downtown. “The group did a gnome hunt recently in Batavia and has a lot of expertise in designing fun activities.”
In a press release from the Aurora group, officials said “this year, one scavenger hunt will encourage all ages to visit downtown businesses and search for egg art created by local artists in storefront windows.”
“We will have 15 locations and we are currently looking for artists of all ages and skill levels to submit egg art that can be displayed in the windows,” Amoni said. “The hunt will begin on March 1 and run all the way to the first week in April up through Easter.”
Jessica Shockey, owner of the Geneva-based Adventures in Scavenger Hunting, said she is currently coordinating locations with downtown businesses and will set up the logistics for those wishing to participate in the scavenger hunt.
“There will be QR codes on the pictures that were selected so people can confirm they visited that store but there will be other ways to participate as well,” Shockey said. “We will be providing a link to a Google document where people can enter in order to participate in the contest.”
For those not using the QR code, Shockey said entries “will be on the honor system” and Aurora Downtown will raffle off a $25 gift card a week to those that fill out the form, meaning that five gift cards will be awarded from March 1 through April 4.
Aurora Downtown will also be promoting a contest among those who submit artwork. The press release notes that artists, community members, youth and families are invited to create an unframed 12-inch by 18-inch work depicting an Easter egg that can be displayed in business windows in downtown Aurora.
Once the art is completed, artists are to send a PDF to info@auroradowntown.org or drop the artwork off at Aurora Fastprint Inc. along with their name and contact information no later than Feb. 20 to be included in the event. Originals can be picked up the week of March 1.
Up to 15 pieces will be selected to be displayed in storefront windows, and Aurora Downtown will select artwork should more than 15 be submitted.
“Those artists whose work has been selected to be displayed in a store window will each win a $25 gift card from a downtown business that will be randomly drawn,” Amoni said.
Shockey admits people like contests but hopefully “the fun is getting out during COVID and having something to do.”
“Hopefully this is something people will do for fun. It’s kind of like a game,” she said.
For more information about the scavenger hunt, go to auroradowntown.org.
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
